The Prosperity Gospel – A False Gospel
Galatians 1:8, 9 – “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
I Timothy 6:3-6 – “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
II Peter 2:1-3 – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who…through covetousness shall they with feigned words MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
In the above passages, the prosperity gospel is spelled out for us very clearly. As a matter of fact, the verses above describe the prosperity gospel so clearly that it is as though the writers lived in the twenty-first century. Let us examine each of the above passages briefly to see what God says concerning the prosperity gospel.
Galatians 1:8, 9 – Any Other Gospel is Accursed
As we begin our study on this prevalent subject, it is essential to note that the first of the above three passages gives us a solemn warning. This warning is that if any being, whether a preacher from earth or an angel from heaven, preaches any other gospel than that which is firmly laid in the scriptures, let that creature be accursed (i.e., go to hell).
As we begin our study on this prevalent subject, it is essential to note that the first of the above three passages gives us a solemn warning. This warning is that if any being, whether a preacher from earth or an angel from heaven, preaches any other gospel than that which is firmly laid in the scriptures, let that creature be accursed (i.e., go to hell).
The first of the above passages, Galatians 1:8, 9, is the reason I am so adamantly against this false gospel. False gospels lead precious souls to hell by the masses. Dr. Harold Sightler stated it correctly when he said, “Hearing another gospel is as fatal as hearing no gospel.” I hear people say concerning their loved ones who attend liberal churches, “Well, at least they’re in church!” Friend, your loved ones can go to hell from the pew of a liberal church as quickly as they could go from a bar stool! Bro. Lloyd Cheek provided a great analogy. He asked the question, “What if your children came home from school, and they told you that they had learned that 2+2 is 5? What if they told you that they learned that 5-1 is 3? Would you say, ‘Well, at least they’re in school’”? No we wouldn’t! But we say that about our loved ones who go to liberal churches! Friend, it is eternally dangerous to hear another gospel, and this prosperity gospel is as false as it can be!
I Timothy 6:3-6 – Preachers Who Think That Gain is Godliness
In the second of the above passages, I Timothy 6:3-6, Paul writes concerning ministers who have drifted from the truth. He then gives characteristics of these preachers. They are proud; they know nothing; they dote about questions and strifes of words. But in addition to these traits, Paul says that they SUPPOSE THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS. The word “gain” refers to any material thing that is obtained. Money is gain. Property is gain. Wealth, an inheritance, bank accounts, vehicles in one’s possession, houses, lands, boats, and all the rest of it, is GAIN! Paul is writing concerning preachers who preach that gain is godliness! And do we ever have preachers like that today! They preach that if you are spiritual, you will be rich! As a matter of fact, I have heard prosperity preachers preach that if you do not have riches, something is wrong with your walk with God! Simply put, these preachers are liars. Many of them are crooks. They preach that if you give (to their ministry), God will give back in terms of money. And while the poorest of the poor watch these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” on their television and mail them a check, these preachers get rich while the ones supporting them continue to do without! It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure this out!
In the second of the above passages, I Timothy 6:3-6, Paul writes concerning ministers who have drifted from the truth. He then gives characteristics of these preachers. They are proud; they know nothing; they dote about questions and strifes of words. But in addition to these traits, Paul says that they SUPPOSE THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS. The word “gain” refers to any material thing that is obtained. Money is gain. Property is gain. Wealth, an inheritance, bank accounts, vehicles in one’s possession, houses, lands, boats, and all the rest of it, is GAIN! Paul is writing concerning preachers who preach that gain is godliness! And do we ever have preachers like that today! They preach that if you are spiritual, you will be rich! As a matter of fact, I have heard prosperity preachers preach that if you do not have riches, something is wrong with your walk with God! Simply put, these preachers are liars. Many of them are crooks. They preach that if you give (to their ministry), God will give back in terms of money. And while the poorest of the poor watch these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” on their television and mail them a check, these preachers get rich while the ones supporting them continue to do without! It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure this out!
As for these who preach that gain is godliness, notice what Paul says in I Timothy 6:5 – “…supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF!” If the preacher on the T.V. screen is preaching that wealth is a symbol of godliness, don’t send that clown a check! Paul said plainly to get as far away from that trash as possible! If your pastor preaches a “give so you can get rich” doctrine, it is time for you do as the Bible says and WITHDRAW YOURSELF! It’s time for you to find another church – a solid, Bible-believing church!
II Peter 2:1-3 – Those Who Make Merchandise of the Saints
Peter, in his second epistle, dedicates the second chapter to false prophets and false teachers. He gives characteristics concerning these false teachers. One leading characteristic is defined this way: “they shall with feigned words MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU.”
Peter, in his second epistle, dedicates the second chapter to false prophets and false teachers. He gives characteristics concerning these false teachers. One leading characteristic is defined this way: “they shall with feigned words MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU.”
The word “minister” means “servant.” This is the true minister. This describes the man of God. God’s man asks, “What can I give?” Satan’s man, the man of whom Peter wrote, asks, “What can I get?” These false teachers MAKE MERCHANDISE of the saints! The false teachers described by Peter are not interested in making saints out of sinners; they are interested in making money out of saints! When a preacher is all about money, BEWARE! When a minister speaks more of money, wealth, and prosperity than he does the cross of Jesus Christ, look out! We have a false teacher on our hands!
Conclusion
The Bible speaks in II Corinthians 8:9 that Christ was made poor that we might be made RICH. John wished above all things in III John 2 that we would be in health and PROSPER, even as our soul PROSPERS. Joshua was promised good SUCCESS in Joshua 1:8. When I read words like “rich,” “prosper,” and “success,” in the Bible, I think of, as John said it, my soul prospering. When a Charismatic reads these verses, he thinks of materialistic prosperity. This is a great revelation of the Charismatic heart. The heart of the true minister of God is on treasures in heaven – souls being saved. Charismatics, on the other hand, are more interested in materialistic prosperity – being rich on the earth.
The Bible speaks in II Corinthians 8:9 that Christ was made poor that we might be made RICH. John wished above all things in III John 2 that we would be in health and PROSPER, even as our soul PROSPERS. Joshua was promised good SUCCESS in Joshua 1:8. When I read words like “rich,” “prosper,” and “success,” in the Bible, I think of, as John said it, my soul prospering. When a Charismatic reads these verses, he thinks of materialistic prosperity. This is a great revelation of the Charismatic heart. The heart of the true minister of God is on treasures in heaven – souls being saved. Charismatics, on the other hand, are more interested in materialistic prosperity – being rich on the earth.
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Certainly, I am not against someone being rich. Abraham was faithful in the eyes of God, and was very rich. Job was among the richest of all the earth. On the other hand, to preach that earthly riches are promised to everyone who serve God is sheer ignorance. No such promise is made in the Bible. Quite frankly, if your heart is right, you do not demand that God give you a new car. If your heart is right with God, you do not need the finest home. A man whose heart is right with God seeks God and His righteousness first and foremost, and he lets the Lord bless as He sees fit.
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
