Prosperity gospel in your church

[Who me]

Browsing the Christian news I came across this article that claims that the prosperity gospel is growing in popularity  in American churches.

Is this something you have come across?

 

Link:-https://www.christiantoday.com/article/prosperity.gospel.gaining.ground.in.the.us/140669.htm

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Who me said:

Browsing the Christian news I came across this article that claims that the prosperity gospel is growing in popularity  in American churches.

Is this something you have come across?

 

Link:-https://www.christiantoday.com/article/prosperity.gospel.gaining.ground.in.the.us/140669.htm

Well, from my observation it's pretty prevalent on TV, and somewhat on radio. And I know some dear ones, who meet with us from time to time, who seem to get a little caught up in it. And I have to admit I toyed some with the idea at one point. (remember "The Prayer of Jabez" book?)

For me "the cure" was seeing so many scriptures that talk about how believers will probably experience various hardships.  Yet the message is that when we are weak, that is when He can be strong in us. And that in all trials and shortcomings, His favored supply of grace is sufficient.  Way too much of the NT talks in this way, that is, that we should NOT expect God to gives us many riches and physical things (except in Christ Himself).  He may give us those things, but to focus on them is a distraction from Christ IMHO.

[FJK]

The prosperity gospel as I understand it, the name it and claim it teachings of some churches, teaches us to give in order to get.

But I have to ask myself if this is what is intended in the Bible when it is used to justify it or if the intent of the Bible's instructions about giving are more of a nature of giving because it is the right thing to do, not because you are effectively just making an investment and expecting a return on it?

Many non Christian and metaphysical (occultist) teach the "prosperity gospel" teachings such as those expressed in The Secret, Think and Grow Rich, As a Man Thinketh and many others teach the principles of gaining wealth through various "spiritual" practices, but Jesus taught us to seek the Kingdom of God first and that these things would then take care of themselves.

So does the prosperity gospel teach us to serve God first or serve Mammon and ourselves first?

This is my thinking about this, that we must temper our desires for "prosperity" with the teachings God has given to us in the Bible.

[Neighbor]

2 hours ago, Who me said:

Is this something you have come across?

 

Sure!

Nothing  new about it except maybe the shear volume of opportunities to get  into it via cable tv and internet.

Plus it is not just a gospel that  uses only Christianity as a vehicle. It's message of security in one form or another is used by Flag and LDS circles too.

Going back over my own lifetime there has been Norman Vincent Peale and then Robert  H. Schuller with his possibilities thinking  Bible ( Of which I have a copy). Bob's motto "When faced with a mountain  I WILL NOT QUIT! I will keep on striving until  I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath- or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, with God's help."

That's an appealing  gem is it not? Well it even allows God's help as one strives toward success in terms of gold mine type wealth!

However, not to fear, as God uses even the  foolishness of men in order  to show by great contrast His word to many as the Holy Spirit turns many about to a generous heaping of prosperity of another kind,- the laying up of treasure in heaven.

The very day God turned me about He also used a tv message from Rev. Frederick Price to share of the gospel of Jesus directly with me.  Go figure, eh?

[Neighbor]

The prosperity appeal does find it's way  into Christian groups/church bodies, often as some financial responsibility class offering- usually taught by guess whom? Why a church member investment counselor with a program to sell and opportunity for you to share of your own present financial savings information.

That person will be culling out members of each "class"  for special attention,  throwing in a little Dave Ramsey and maybe some of his books/program and oh yes an annuity  savings opportunity this church member just happens to deal in. BEWARE OF THE WOLVES AMONG THE FLOCK.

[TheBlade]

3 hours ago, Who me said:

Browsing the Christian news I came across this article that claims that the prosperity gospel is growing in popularity  in American churches.

Is this something you have come across?

 

Link:-https://www.christiantoday.com/article/prosperity.gospel.gaining.ground.in.the.us/140669.htm

I will only say and will not touch any believer. Those like me and others here that believe in as the word of God like "prosperity" know as those that get attacked made fun of have said so many times in so many videos and articles  stated said "there is no such thing as prosperity gospel". I have said to so many times here and others places. The only reason some still use it against our brothers and sisters is to just attack make fun of them. So what some do not believe in is "prosperity" its like talking about the "gifts" or "healing" or "your faith is weak that's the reason".  Yet if you simply asked them.. I can't be the only one that any time I thought they were in error I went to them asked them to explain since I could be wrong and they always do. You do the same thing right? You love them like you love Christ right? So they will back up what they believe by scripture. Now I can't speak for EVERY one them just the ones we know. So in the end I just don't agree with all they teach.

I do the same thing here I just don't agree with everything everyone says...yet I love you.. I won't attack I wont speak evil I will only speak words of life. I will not use GOD to then back up what I personally believe to come against others I don't agree with. I treat them how I want to be treated 

Well lets make personal. Would you rather me quote you or just make up something you clearly have said you do not believe? Heres the kicker.. I know who I am in Christ I know the authority I have. Like it or not from this moment on what you do and say you can never say you didn't know. All we say and do is recorded.  No such thing as prosperity gospel. 

Did you know the major ones have said again many times about the past "we were wrong". Its just one of those things that NEVER got posted or quoted odd since we all LOVE JESUS! Do what you want your free but it has a cost

[Big Boy Stan Murf]

7 hours ago, Who me said:

Prosperity gospel in your church

As opposed to the poverty gospel?

Some churches teach that we should be just barely able to get by financially in order to be close to God.

And, even though the Lord's Word does promise financial blessings if one WORKS, we should never believe the Lord would help us any further than just barely getting by.

You don't hear about the the poverty gospel on TV or radio because... well, they believe in poverty ya know.

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, Stan Murff said:

As opposed to the poverty gospel?

Some churches teach that we should be just barely able to get by financially in order to be close to God.

And, even though the Lord's Word does promise financial blessings if one WORKS, we should never believe the Lord would help us any further than just barely getting by.

You don't hear about the the poverty gospel on TV or radio because... well, they believe in poverty ya know.

More a question of priorities.

3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things

and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

[Big Boy Stan Murf]

No doubt money and material things are not what we follow.
But, the Lord has always desired for His people to be blessed so we can be a blessing to others.

It's not for us to life high on the hog so to speak, but we should have some money to help those around us, to the household of faith first of course.

The Lord cannot trust most Christians with any money much because they believe in once saved always saved and they'll go off and do sin if they have extra cash.  Some folks need to live on barely get by street which limits how much sin they can go do.

I've actually witnessed people get an inheritance or some other lump sum of cash and it changes them!  They'll run off and start buying stuff and bragging to others at church "hey, look what I just bought" trying to impress people.

It's a responsibility to have a little money.  The first thing we should do if we have money is not go around talking to everyone about it especially at church.  Some folks are hurting financially and could use some help.

My favorite thing to do is give a helping hand financially to someone and do it in such a way that they don't know who gave them the gift!  That way they can only thank the Lord for it.

One can have some fun blessing others in this way which is the best way to do it whenever possible.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Stan Murff

[AnOrangeCat]

10 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Well, from my observation it's pretty prevalent on TV, and somewhat on radio. And I know some dear ones, who meet with us from time to time, who seem to get a little caught up in it. And I have to admit I toyed some with the idea at one point. (remember "The Prayer of Jabez" book?)

I remember it. That's been my experience too, that it's something you run into on TV a lot and with the associated megachurches. The smaller churches I attended were kind of neutral toward it. I noticed people tended to respect the televangelists who spoke on it, but it wasn't strongly emphasized. I got to see one of the megachurches as my family passed through the town it was in and they were selling Bibles for $100. That rubbed me the wrong way. My grandmother was pretty wild about the televangelist in question though so she got several of them. It was a good Bible but it just seemed so awful and exploitative that people would try to make a huge profit off of God's Word.