7 Verses to Dismantle the Prosperity Gospel

The Northern Kingdom of Israel felt secure. They had riches and lived an indulgent lifestyle – Amos described how they lounged on couches and dined on choice meats (Amos 6:4). The wealthy women of Samaria had encouraged their husbands to oppress the poor while they requested another drink (Amos 4:1-3). Because of their material wealth, they assumed God approved of them. Surely, they would not have such nice things if God frowned upon their lifestyle?

But the Lord did not approve. As Amos said, “You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end” (Amos 6:6-7). The riches of the people did not prove that they had right standing before God.

This principle is also true of people today. Those who live in wealth and ease should not think it is necessarily because the Lord has favored them. Instead, they should beware of the complacency that comes with wealth (see Amos 6:1).

Prosperity gospel teachers tell us that God wants us to have lots of money and great physical health. They would argue that their wealth is proof of the Lord’s favor. We see something vastly different taught in Scripture, though, as Amos showed in his prophecy concerning Israel. Divine favor or approval does not equate with having a comfortable life filled with riches.

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Another passage we need to be aware of to dismantle the prosperity gospel is Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord emphasized that our hearts should not be set on storing up material goods or wealth. As He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

We cannot be devoted fully to the Lord and at the same time love money (Matthew 6:24). Our allegiance would be divided. And this is exactly what has happened to those who fall into the trap of the prosperity gospel. They assume that they can store treasures in heaven and build a life full of riches on earth now. In fact, prosperity teachers will argue that God wants believers to have treasure chests of wealth, as an extension of the supposed material blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. Jesus’ words directly refute such a belief as He tells us to focus on eternity – on wealth that truly matters, stemming from love and devotion to Him.

If our heart is set on accumulating goods and riches, and having a life of ease, then it will reflect in our actions. Christ told His disciples that it is foolish to store treasure on earth because it will eventually fade or be stolen. Believers are meant to prepare and live in anticipation for another kingdom and home – a heavenly one (see Hebrews 11:16).

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In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus mentioned various areas where the seed fell. Only some fell on good soil; the other seeds faced difficulty in growing and bearing fruit. One such area was a place filled with thorns which choked out the plants that grew from the seeds (Matthew 13:7). According to the Lord, the seed that fell among thorns symbolize individuals who hear the word, “but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). These people are more concerned with the here-and-now of life, which acts like suffocating thorns to the word of truth they heard.

We see this principle at work in the life of the young rich ruler. He was initially interested in receiving eternal life and listening to Jesus. But the Lord went to what was truly keeping the man away from salvation – his wealth. The young ruler’s heart was like the thorny ground because the “deceitfulness of wealth” was choking the truth. Jesus told him to sell all he had, exposing the idol of money in the man’s life, and to follow Him. Then, the man would have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21). Not wanting to part with his money and the security it provided in the present life, the rich young man turned away from Christ (Matthew 19:22). The thorns had choked out the potential for life and fruit.

Material riches make it extremely challenging for a person to come to know Christ and to follow Him (see Matthew 19:23-24). When people have an abundance of money and resources, then it is easy for them to trust in those resources instead of God. Their focus becomes distorted, and instead of loving the Lord, they devote themselves to serving a false god: Money.

Therefore, we can see how wrong it is for prosperity teachers to make wealth and material possessions a part of the gospel message. Jesus said that these things are hinderances to coming to faith and being a disciple. Rather than blessings, money and a life of ease often prove to be burdens.

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Luke’s Gospel mentions a group of woes after Jesus blesses His disciples. Most scholars refer to this as the Sermon on the Plain since Luke mentions that Jesus spoke these teachings while he “stood on a level place” (Luke 6:17). It is there he pronounced these woes.

As Jesus said, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets” (Luke 6:24-26). The disciples who gave up everything to follow Christ were the ones who were blessed, even though they were poor and went hungry (Luke 6:20-21). This contradicts how many in the world would view the situation, as they would assume the rich and well-fed were the blessed ones. Characteristic of the Lord, He flips common assumptions and turns them on their heads.

We find these woes at work in the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Having riches and plenty to eat, the rich man lives in luxury and comfort (Luke 16:19). Yet, he does not seek to care for others with his wealth. He refuses to give Lazarus, a poor beggar, food or assistance (Luke 16:20-21). When both men die, the rich man goes to hell but sees Lazarus in heaven (Luke 16:22-23). In a turn of events, the poor man receives comfort after death because of his faith, but the rich man goes to hell because of his lack of faith. He had already received his good things on earth (Luke 16:25). The Lord’s words are illustrated clearly: “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:24).

These passages refute the teachings of the prosperity gospel, which tell us that we should have our “good things” now in the form of material riches and ease in life. If we genuinely want to follow Jesus, then we are willing to give up all things to follow Him because we know that He is the One in whom we find the greatest happiness and satisfaction.

Disciples know that the greatest treasure is knowing and living for Christ – and they are the ones who are truly blessed.

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Wealth and health preachers falsely use the Bible to argue that God’s best for our life includes freedom from disease, financial struggle, and relationship trouble. If we will but seek to follow the Lord, they claim that God will shower us with all these blessings. We will have healing from physical and mental diseases. We will obtain increasing wealth. We will have a great marriage or wonderful relationships with friends.

But is this what Scripture teaches?

In a letter to Timothy, Paul wrote “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). These words came from a man who had suffered persecution multiple times (2 Timothy 3:10-11). His son in the faith should not expect anything different.

The Lord Jesus told the disciples that they should expect the world to hate them just as it had hated Him (see John 15:18-19). All the eleven Apostles, Paul the Apostle, and others such as Stephen faced persecution for following Christ. Today, believers in other parts of the world continue to face pressure and, at times, severe persecution for being a Christian. They lose jobs and possessions. Family and friends reject and ostracize them. They can even face threats to their safety, and some lose their lives. But they keep following Jesus. Like the Apostles and early believers, they have found the peace that Christ promised amid tribulation and trials (John 16:33).

Are we to believe that these believers are not receiving “God’s best” by suffering for the name of Christ? No, they are blessed and should rejoice because their reward in heaven is great (Matthew 5:11-12). Those who are seeking material wealth and ease through prosperity teachings should be the ones who are worried. Paul’s words to Timothy show that a life of godliness in service to Jesus will inevitably bring persecution. Depending on the cultures and geographic locations we inhabit, we might face different hardships. Yet, true disciples should expect pushback for their commitment to Christ.

Christians do not follow the Lord to get something in return. They should not give or do good to others with the intention of receiving wealth and good health from the Lord. Instead, we faithfully serve our Savior regardless of the risks, losses, or struggles. We take heart knowing that He has overcome and has promised us His peace.

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Numerous people are drawn to promises of gaining more money. For some, the desire comes from frustration with their current situation. They could face oppression or are currently suffering in poverty. Others, though, like to hear the declarations of prosperity teachers because it feeds their greed. They are told that God wants them to have riches and a comfortable life. Thus, individuals may conclude that pursing wealth is what the Lord wants.

Scripture tears down such ideas. Pursuing godliness and being content with necessities in life, like food and clothing, is what the Lord encourages (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Nowhere in the Bible are we told that God desires believers to be wealthy or that they should pursue riches. Instead, the Bible warns us, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Having money is not inherently wrong, and some believers may have quite a bit of wealth because of their jobs or through inheritance. However, what is wrong is loving money and pursuing it regardless of method or consequence, and to keep accumulating more money and items than is needed. Wealth, not God, becomes the focus.

The Apostle Paul knew that there were Christians who had riches according to this world, and he encouraged Timothy to remind them that their trust should be in God, not their money. Instead of hoarding it and seeking increasing amounts, they should practice generosity and share what they have with others (1 Timothy 6:17-18). As he said, “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19).

Unlike prosperity authors and speakers who tell us to give so we can receive a hundredfold back, Scripture tells us to practice contentment with having what we need. We should share generously and sacrificially with others, not to receive more money, but to build treasure in heaven and experience true life.

The idol of money will leave us empty, but we can find enduring happiness and fulfillment by loving and serving Christ.

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A final verse we need in our toolbox for correcting assumptions and beliefs about prosperity is Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

These instructions are sandwiched between many other important teachings about a variety of topics. The author of Hebrews reminds us to practice contentment instead of allowing our hearts to become ensnared by the love of money. We already have all that we need in the Lord, and He will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6). The same cannot be said of cash. Riches and possessions can dwindle and deteriorate, but our Lord is unchanging. He always keeps His promises.

Let God’s Word be the judge of the prosperity gospel. Do we see these teachers and authors living simply and contently, trusting that God is all they need? Do they love Him more than money? What do their lives show? Teachers within the prosperity gospel often live extravagantly. They own large mansions, private jets, and have an overabundance of items they do not need – which often come directly through the donations to their ministries. Such lifestyles do not align with biblical teaching to be content with what we have and to guard ourselves from the love of money.

Counter to the false teaching of the prosperity gospel, Jesus does not promise us wealth or perfect health. What He has promised is abundant life that comes by knowing and trusting in Him for salvation. We are spiritually rich in Christ because we have eternal life and the promise of His continual presence. Since He is our treasure, we are willing to give and use all for His glory, even if we do not have much money or the greatest health.

Related article: Is Money Really the Root of All Evil?

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