Beyond Wealth: The Truth About God's Blessings and the Prosperity Gospel

• Meaning: To advance, to succeed, to make progress, or to thrive. It conveys the idea of being effective or successful in accomplishing a goal, but often in the context of God’s favor and blessing.

Greek Word: “Euodoo” (Strong’s G2137)

• Meaning: To help on the road, to succeed in reaching, to have a prosperous journey, or to be successful.

• The root meaning involves having a good and smooth journey or path, often metaphorically referring to success or progress in life, particularly in one’s walk with God.

Today’s sermon centers around understanding prosperity from God’s perspective disproving the Prosperity Gospel that is believed by many in Western Christianity. We’ll explore how true wealth isn’t found in earthly riches but in spiritual prosperity, aligning our hearts with God’s kingdom.

The Prosperity Gospel is a controversial doctrine within Christian theology that teaches believers that financial wealth, physical health, and personal success are guaranteed to those who have enough faith, speak positive words, and give generously to ministries. Prominent preachers who espouse this view often link faith with material blessing, suggesting that God’s favor is demonstrated through worldly prosperity. To assess whether this doctrine aligns with biblical teaching, it’s important to examine scripture and the theological foundation behind these claims.

Key Teachings of the Prosperity Gospel

1. Faith as a Means to Wealth and Health: The Prosperity Gospel often asserts that faith is a tool or formula to obtain wealth and physical health.

2. Positive Confession: Followers are encouraged to “name it and claim it,” speaking their desired outcomes into existence through positive confession.

3. Generosity as a Path to Blessing: Many prosperity teachings place an emphasis on giving to ministries as a way to unlock material blessings from God.

Biblical Examination

Let’s compare the teachings of the Prosperity Gospel to what the Bible says about faith, wealth, and suffering:

1. Faith and Material Wealth

The Bible teaches that faith is essential for salvation and a relationship with God (Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9). However, there is no promise that faith will always result in material wealth. In fact, Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth:

• Matthew 6:19-21

Matthew 6:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Jesus emphasized the pursuit of spiritual wealth, not material riches. The early disciples, including the Apostle Paul, often lived in poverty, yet they were considered faithful (Philippians 4:11-12, Acts 3:6).

2. Wealth Can Be a Danger to Spiritual Life

While God does bless some believers with wealth, the Bible consistently warns about the dangers of riches:

• 1 Timothy 6:9-10

1 Timothy 6:9–10 KJV 1900

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Rather than wealth being an automatic sign of God’s favor, Paul warns that the pursuit of riches can lead to spiritual ruin.

Misplaced Prosperity

Let’s look deeper into the story of King Solomon. Solomon was blessed by God with immense wealth and wisdom. Yet, despite his fortune and knowledge, he lost focus on God. Solomon married many foreign wives who led him into idolatry. As a result, his kingdom became divided after his death. His story is a warning that wealth and wisdom, without the foundation of a strong relationship with God, can lead to spiritual ruin.

Another example is Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). They sold land and, instead of being truthful, they kept part of the proceeds for themselves while claiming to have given it all. Their greed and deception led to their deaths. It’s a stark reminder that God values honesty and purity of heart over outward appearances of generosity or success.

Both stories show the tragic results of misplaced priorities—seeking prosperity on earth and missing out on God’s eternal blessings.

True Prosperity in Christ

Now, let’s turn our attention to what true prosperity looks like. The Bible teaches us that God’s idea of prosperity is vastly different from the world’s definition. It’s not about how much we own but about the condition of our hearts.

3. Suffering and Trials in the Christian Life

The Prosperity Gospel often neglects the biblical teaching on suffering. Jesus made it clear that following Him could lead to persecution, trials, and suffering:

• John 16:33 (KJV): “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

• 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV): “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

In the New Testament, many of the early Christians experienced hardship, poverty, and persecution despite their faithfulness. These experiences were seen not as signs of God’s disfavor, but as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God (James 1:2-4).

Paul’s Contentment

(Philippians 4:11-13): Paul speaks of learning to be content in all circumstances—whether in plenty or in want. His strength comes from Christ, not his circumstances. Paul’s life is an example that spiritual prosperity is found in our relationship with Jesus, not in material wealth.

4. Biblical View on Generosity

While the Prosperity Gospel teaches that giving to ministries can result in personal material gain, the Bible promotes generosity for the sake of love and service, not personal gain:

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV): “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Giving is encouraged in scripture, but it’s never framed as a transaction with God to guarantee wealth.

The Widow’s Offering

(Mark 12:41-44): While many rich people gave large amounts of money to the temple, Jesus noticed a poor widow who gave two small copper coins. Jesus said she had given more than all the others because she gave out of her poverty, all she had to live on. Her heart was aligned with God’s will, showing us that generosity in God’s kingdom is not measured by the amount but by the heart behind it.

Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 6:33 when He said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” True prosperity comes when we put God first, trusting Him to provide for all our needs.

The Heart of the Gospel

At its core, the Gospel is about the salvation of souls through Jesus Christ and the eternal kingdom of God. It is not a formula for attaining wealth or avoiding difficulties in this life:

• Matthew 16:24-26 (KJV):

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

True prosperity in the Bible is often spiritual in nature. The blessings of faith are primarily about eternal life, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The focus is on conforming to the image of Christ, which may include seasons of suffering and self-denial.

Conclusion

The Prosperity Gospel deviates from the biblical teaching that followers of Christ are called to endure hardship, trust God in all circumstances, and prioritize spiritual over material wealth. While God does bless His people, those blessings are not always material, and believers are not guaranteed a life free from trials. The Bible calls for contentment (Philippians 4:11-13) and warns against the love of money and worldly desires (1 John 2:15-17).

In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need more—more money, success, or possessions. But what if true prosperity meant having peace in our hearts, knowing that God is our provider, protector, and guide?

Many of us struggle with materialism, constantly comparing ourselves to others. Social media can amplify these feelings of inadequacy, as we see others living what appears to be “better” lives. However, the truth is that God’s measure of prosperity is different. It’s about the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When these are present in our lives, we are truly prosperous, regardless of our bank account.

We need to ask ourselves: Where is my heart? What am I truly seeking? If our focus is on building wealth, status, or success at the expense of our relationship with God, we need to refocus and align ourselves with God’s values.

To prosper biblically means to thrive in the presence of God, advance in His purposes, and experience well-being and contentment in every area of life, especially in our walk with Him. True prosperity is found in aligning our lives with God’s will and seeking His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). It’s more about spiritual success and eternal reward than financial wealth or material possessions.

Final Thought

Charles Spurgeon, the renowned preacher, once said,

“I believe that it is anti-Christian and a Satanic pride that makes a man think he can do without wealth… it is equally Satanic to believe that wealth is in itself a blessing.”

This wisdom reminds us to view prosperity in the light of eternity rather than through the lens of material success.

Proverbs 11:28 KJV 1900

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

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