Maybe it’s a bit unfair that Joel Osteen got the brunt of my blogging wrath. Maybe not. I’ve decided to tackle the broader subject behind my displeasure over Joel Osteen and some of the stuff he teaches – seeing as he’s definitely not the only one who teaches what is known as… *cue dramatic music*…

Prosperity Gospel!!!

So… Allow me to explain what Prosperity Theology is. Prosperity Theology is “teaching that God desires the material prosperity of those He favours”.

Now, by ‘material prosperity’… that’s not just financial prosperity, but success in relationships and good health.

This theology and teaching promotes the idea that God wants Christians to be ‘abundantly’ successful in every way. Especially financially.

*Deep Breath*

Now… apparently there’s a biblical basis for this. It’s bible verses such as Deuteronomy 8:18, Malachi 3:10, John 10:10, and 3 John 2-4. As farm as I’m concerned, they’re taken out of context.

I do believe that God blesses us with regards to finances (but we still have to be responsible), realtionships and health. But there’s a bigger picture.

Prosperity teachers are making it out to be as if we’re still living in Genesis 2.

I also know that being a Christian isn’t plain sailing. It’s not an easy thing. I don’t think it’s fair, or biblical to say that if you’re not healthy then clearly you’ve done something wrong, which is what prosperity gospel suggests. I don’t think God wants us to be the elite super rich Christians, with the giant houses and fancy sports cars… after all, Jesus himself was a carpenter. Not exactly huge income.

Anyway, I’m mincing words.

When someone teaches solely prosperity theology, and doesn’t look at the bible in it’s full context, selecting the fluffy-nice-to-hear sections, they’re only revealing a tiny part of a big picture.

I’ve seen a bunch of people who’ve been damaged by prosperity theology teaching churches. Why? Because they’re only getting a tiny part of the big picture. And it upsets me to see people questioning their faith in God, because they were misled by a leader/teacher that isn’t teaching the true gospel, the whole bible… but a Genesis 2 – before the fall of man fairytale.

“Any Gospel that cannot be preached in a Third-World country is not the True Gospel of Jesus Christ” — Dr. David Jeremiah

P.s. Here’s a few verses that counter the prosperity theology idea – 1 Timothy 6:7-10, Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Luke 16:13, Luke 18:22-25, 1 John 2:15, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Matthew 19:21, 1 Timothy 2:9, Proverbs 22:16.

Hope that backs up what I was saying before.