What Do You Think About The Health and Wealth Gospel?
As Americans we are definitely the most blessed country in the world. Money...Money...Money. It is the true "American Idol". America is one of the richest nations in the world. According to Forbes magazine the 400 wealthiest Americans are billionares. We do live in a very materialistic society to say the least. We are a success driven, materialistic, self-centered society. It effects each and every American. You hear life coaches and motivational speakers teaching on how to be successful, happy and wealthy. You can go into any Barnes & Noble, Boarders, Hastings, and find aisles of books on the topsics.
You even see many television evangelists preaching a new gospel of health and wealth.
Time Magazine September 18, 2006 has an article by David Van Biema and Jeff Chu entitled, "Does God Want You To Be Rich?" In the article Joel Osteen pastor of Lakewood Church says, "I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. I think he wants ut enjoy our lives. I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich" (p. 51).
Joyce Meyer author and television evangelist stated, "Who would want something where you're miserable, broke, and ugly and you have to muddle through until you get to heaven?" (p.54).
Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor said, "God wants you to own land. The entire Old Testament is all about land. Land represents that God is with you and God has blessed you." (p.55).
On the other side of the debate Rons Sider, evangelical antipoverty crusader, stated, "They have neglected the texts about danger of riches. Prosperity Gospel Lite is one of the most powerful forms of neglect of the poor." (p.54).
Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church said, "This idea that God wants everyone to be wealthy? Baloney. It is creating a false idol. You don't mesasure self-worth by your net worth." (p.55).
Has this health and wealth become the new gospel? Has it crept into our churches? Has it influenced our preaching? Do we preach more lessons on how to be prosperous than a committed disciple? When we start preaching a health and wealth gospel does that make people want to become Christians for the wrong reasons? Why? What about commitment, self-sacrifice and discipleship? Do Christian American's know the prayer of Jabez more than they do the Lord's prayer? How is a health and wealth gospel dangerous to Christianity? What statement and message does it send to the world and to the poor? How does that make the poor feel? How does God see all of this?
What do you think? Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 11:08:00 PM
29 Comments:
YES!! God does want his children to be RICH, rich in spirit,rich in the word, rich in belief, rich in trust.
Rich Warren! I don't know if that was a typo or the Holy Spirit guided your hand, either way it was a good one. You do know his name is Rick don't you?
My question to the prosperity preachers is this. What did Jesus, Paul, and Peter do wrong?
To my knowledge, each of them died without any riches (as measured by the world).
__________________________________
For once, I can agree with l.e. about something! It is a good day!
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
I do know that it is Rick Warren instead of Rich Warren...Just simply typo that I will fix. Rick is definately Rich after writting the Purpose Driven Church and Life books...but he understands that our richness like you said L.E. is rich in Spirit, rich in trust, rich in word, rich in belief. I totally agree.
Thank you for comments.
Royce,
Great thoughts.
I totally agree.
It is a great day indeed!
:-)
Does God want you to be rich? Just look at the Old Testament. Look at the life of Job. What happened at the end of Job's life? He was rewarded for his faith and obedience. How? With more than he had in the beginning. What does that tells us as Christians? If we follow God then he is going to bless us.
True wealth isn't monetary or material. The richest person I know is my brother-in-law. He lives in the same neighborhood as a Dallas Cowboy, and 2 Texas Rangers (1 of which might soon be a Hall of Famer).
A year ago, we found out that his wife had been cheating on him with a professional athlete (who will stay unnamed). The professional athlete is married as well. They are now going through a very messy divorce, and they would like for nothing else for money to buy them happiness. It won't. It doesn't.
As far as God wanting Christians to have money or material things... I'd have to agree more with Rick Warren than anyone else. I believe God wants us to be content with what we've been given. That's where happiness is. When you break it down, one form of peace is nothingness and being okay with that nothingness.
Many prosperity preachers use the term Jehovah Jireh out of context to manipulate their message. When Abraham called God Jehovah Jireh, Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Isaac for the sins Abraham had committed. So in context, Jehovah Jireh, God Provides Abraham was really saying, "God will provide a way to get me out of the mess that my sin has put me in." Jehovah Jireh isn't diamonds on our watch, or a BMW, or a 5000 square foot home. Jehovah Jireh is trusting that God will provide an alternative for the punishment we should have to face for our sin.
Good post, Preacher.
Unfortunately, this gospel seems to run the lives of most Christians I know. We are so far from the simplicity of Jesus that we don't even know where to start. Our buildings are bigger than ever while people in our cities starve and sleep outside.
It's really a sad, sad situation.
Preacherman,
This message is no gospel at all. The gospel means "good news". What good news is it to the poor to hear this kind of message? It is say that their faith is lacking. If only they had more faith and a great outlook on life then...." This message of sucess and wealth is wrong and sinful.
I love Joel Osteen. I think his preaching is great! I know a man who is now making more money than he ever has in his life by attending Lakewood and listening to Joel's messages. I am planning on going once I move to Houston. I think he can change my life the way he changed my friends...For the better!
People just need to read their Bible...New Testament and see that God doesn't want us to store up for ourselves treasure on earth...The reward we get is better than the land and material blessing of the Old Testament, it is an eternal blessing. Heaven. How wonderful.
And Jen, Joel Osteen shouldn't make a difference in your life it should be Jesus Christ.
I don't think that God intended everyone to be wealthy, in the financial sense. Who knows what kind of person I would be if I had a lot of money. I want to say that I would help the poor and the hungry, but who knows if I wouldn't turn into a rich snot. LOL Sometimes God does not allow people wealth because he knows that they are better use to Him if they are barely making it. If they had a lot of wealth, they might turn out to be corrupt. Only God knows the bigger picture.
As far as health. I don't think that God wants us to be sick. Sin is the reason why sickness is in the world. It all started with Adam and Eve. I am not saying at all that someone's sin has caused them to get cancer or anything. I do believe that God heals and desires for us to be whole. What father doesn't desire for his child to be well. It is the same way with the heavenly Father. I do not know why some people get sick and die after being prayed for, verses some people that do get prayed for and are instantly healed. I don't know, but I do know that I have seen God do some pretty awesome miracles in my short time here on earth. I even experienced God heal someone while I was laying hands on them. (That was the neatest thing that I have ever witnessed)
I think that there is an extreme to both sides of this issue. It is just finding God's balance in it all through the Word. I don't think that we will know all of the answers while we are alive here. Only God knows why He does things the way that He does. It is just trusting in Him.
Great post!
The health and wealth gospel buys 100% into the pagan, territorial religious systems with which man has long and long sought to satisfy his craving for spiritual connectedness, support, and nourishment.
If we appease his wrath, he will bless us. If we perform the right rituals in the right order, make the right offerings, the god we've made in our own image will do what we want him to do. Arbitrary, angry, and finite. If that's the God of the Bible, we're all in trouble.
Praise God forever that He is no like that. God is not arbitrary; He is working towards a definite purpose. God's anger is a function of His perfect love, no more, no less. And God is not ONLY our God, He is the Creator of All Things and The God Who Acts.
I don't have any simple answers to the questions that trouble so many people. It really frustrates me that in the richest country in the world, all most of our citizens can think of is more, more, more.
But there is hope. Real hope. What if God's wrath is the last thing we'd ever imagine... a function of his relentless and loving pursuit of us? What if the story is REALLY about Him, and much of our problem is that we keep placing ourselves center-stage and shouting at the Stage Manager when we don't like our lines?
in HIS love,
Nick
The health and wealth gospel that is preached by these TV evangelists are preaching it to make a living. Why can't people see that? They need that new car, house, jet, in the name of Jesus! And if you trust in him, you too can have that new car, house, jet in the name of Jesus! Just claim it! Claim it! It is yours! Right?
Does this sound like the message of Jesus? Does this sound like Christianity? No!
God help the blind to see. Help Christians who believe the lie to see the truth. Set them free. Help Christians everywhere to understand that Christianity is a call of self-sacrifice. It is call of self-lessness. It is about helping the helpless. In Jesus Name. Amen and Amen!
I do like Joel Osteen but I have noticed lately that he never really talks about Jesus. He never mentions the cross. He doesn't sound like the preaching I grew up with that is for sure. What is he preaching? Self help. Christianity Lite. Jen, please listen to what I am saying. I want you to listen to what he is saying in his sermons and listen for how many times he mentions Jesus. I love Jesus and understand that the Christian life is all about Him and what he has done for me at the cross. Listen to how many times he mentions that sacrifice that Christ has made. I love you sister and hope you will try to do what I am asking.
When we come before God at our judgement day, he is not going to ask us how much money we make. He is going to ask us what we did to further his kingdom.
I do know several people who are blessed with financial security and they are wonderful people. One in particular has sponsored several families from foreign countries who have come here for a better life. He gives much of his time and his money to further the kingdom of God. I think God will ask us what we did wih our money. Did we give it to the poor? Did we pay full tithes?
I know there are many people who are selfish with their money, but there are others who share it with the poor and give to charitable organizations.
The Lord will bless us for our faithfulness and sometimes our blessing are financial. Our test is to use our money wisely. Good post.
Majuzo,
Danke fur dein worten (Did I say that right?-Sorry, no umlaut).
I really appreciate your comments. I just wanted to clarify my "best country in the world comment." It's something Americans usually say to each other not because we're boasting, but because we are thankful (as I know you are also) for the things we are blessed with through our country.
Stacie,
As a sister in Christ I will take you up on the offer about Joel Osteen. I know the reason I became a Christian and it wasn't to get rich but I do think that God wants us to be happy and make the most that we can out of our lives.
Jen
I waited a bit to post a comment because I just got a look at the springboard article. It's interesting to me how we often abuse the scripture by picking and choosing which verses we want to follow, with complete disregard for the the surrounding passage or the correlation between passages.
Does God want us to be rich? Not necessarily in the traditional attitude toward the idea. Is He opposed to our being rich? Not at all! I believe that God wants us to obey Him regardless of our pocketbook. I believe that our wealth is determined by our attitude concerning the blessings (material and otherwise) God bestows. In financial circles in America, I would never be considered rich (although when I lived in Ukraine I could do so as a king). But as I consider the physical blessings I do have--a beautiful, supportive, loving wife, three healthy, rambunctious kids, etc.--I must be the richest man on earth.
It reminds me of It's a Wonderful Life when Harry Bailey proposes a toast to George Bailey, "the richest man in Bedford Falls." His wealth wasn't in riches of the traditional sense, but those blessings that are intangeable.
The other wonderment I have is the quote from Caldwell: "The entire Old Testament is about land." Did I miss something here? I was under the impression that the entire Old Testament was about God and man's relationship with Him. Come to think of it, isn't that what the entire Bible is about?
Great discussion starter, Preacherman.
Benjamin,
Excellent thoughts.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and adding to the discussion. I totally agree with what you are saying.
The church often takes on the image of its culture. What does this tell us about our culture?
If the mark of a Christ-follower is love than should that not be our goal? Maybe I will have more money to help me show love but the focus is showing love isn't it?
Good question as always preacherman.
I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. I think he wants ut enjoy our lives. I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
The whole health and wealth idea bothers me... I live along the border and spent a good 8 years serving the poor. In many churches there I found faithful followers of Christ... whom struggle with both health and wealth.
What happened to God's blessing in their lives? Could it not get over the fences into Mexico? No I think God blesses in other ways too. The joy in these families is not from the blessing of wealth or health both of which are huge issues for many people along the border, no their joy comes from a relationship they have with God through Jesus. It might even be possible that the lack of health and wealth breeds a more authentic joy.
Why do we always assume that only God makes people rich?
Jim McGuiggan writes, "...God adores his creation and longs with an unceasing hunger to live with us in holy friendship as our Lord.
"Many people reject this claim as nonsense. We live on a planetary Alcatraz, they tell us, a desolate wasteland. They believe that if there was a God who adored us, he wouldn't allow us to live this way, generation after generation after generation.
"Mind you, I'm not taliing about people who are atheists or agnostics. Many Christians are hiding lives of desperation behind masks that say they're coping well, when, in fact, they're struggling and losing against evil forces in their lives.... They've prayed, begged God for deliverance, and like the poor, bleeding woman in the Gospels, they've gone to all the 'doctors' and find themselves no better off. They've spent all they have, and now they're listless, drained.
"Their despondency makes sense. These people don't lie around in recliners with cold beers in their hands, critics of all they survey, enjoying verbal tussles that keep them fro coming into contact with real life. No, they're pain-wracked, broken-hearted people who are irritated beyond measure by glib explanations for their suffering. Their deep heartache and struggle is a holy place; we should enter only in a respectful and humble manner, leaving our plodding, overly technical books or slick seven-step cures at home."
"As believers we are the colony of heaven, fighting our way through a wilderness world with a glad message of galvanizing truth: The wilderness isn't forever. The holy God who made us all has given up on none of us.
"Weekly platitudes and assurances that God is a 'heavenly sweetheart' who exists to see that his followers don't get hurt or hungry or disturbed -- they have their price. For some, they'll do just fine, but for others, there's a restlessness, a feeling of disapointment -- "This is it? THIS? This is what the biblical heroes in Israel and other nations went through purgatory for? This is what Paul had in mind when we talked about tearing down strongholds and taking captive everything that sets itself against God!? This is what Paul ran halfway across the world to tell -- taking beatings and scourgings as he went, enduring loneliness and betrayal, hunger and slander? All that so we can sit and sing happy songs while humanity goes down into oblivion? THIS is what Christ died for?"
what do you think?
in HIS love,
Nick
Great discussion...I believe that God wants us to be content in whatever circumstances we as Paul says in Philippians, "I have learned to be content whatever...I know what is to be in need and want...I have found how to be content in every situation." The reason for his contentment was Jesus Christ! Thanks for everyone's comments...I want to thank Joel Osteen for stopping by and clarifying his comment. :-)
Everyone had great thoughts and was a great discussion on the topic.
Our house group just finished Philippians last night, and it's interesting that this very topic came up. Glad to see Joel Osteen address the comments, but I wonder how many people watch his broadcast and hear what they want to hear. As a scholar in religious communication, I find it unsurprising that our culture finds a preacher each generation that seems to promote PRIMARILY the prosperity that God wants for us. Kenneth Hagin two generations ago; the positive thinking vein of Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller. And so on.
Prosperity isn't the focus of Scripture. In Philippians it is joy--no matter the circumstances. We can't appreciate the times when things are going well without the wilderness periods. And some people are blessed so that they can share out of their abundance with the body of Christ. Others are not rich in the physical world but share their gifts as God has appointed.
It's simply a matter of knowing Him and Him crucified. All the rest are details that we must keep in balance!
George,
Thanks for your comments.
I believe when we preach health, wealth we are preaching not the gospel at all. The gospel is the good news of Jesus. That God loved me so much that he sent his one and only son, Jesus. That Jesus died and rose again and now I have the chance to live with Him forever. In heaven. What good news. It is even better than all the money in the world. I believe we should teach and preach salvation and hope to the lost instead of preaching wealth and happiness belong to those who are in Christ. God wants you to be rich? No. He wants you to become His. A christian. He wants us as Christians to be godly. He wants to have that relationship with Him and the blessing that we get in the end is going to Heaven. A place were we can spend eternity with God. Forever and ever.... The streets of gold described in Revelation says that things that we cherish the most are like pavement to God. It is going to something that we can't begin to imagine. Like Mercy Me sings, "I an only imagine." So let us as ministers never forget what the good news is really about.
Again thanks for everyone's comments.
"THE CIRCUIT RIDER VS THE TELEVANGELIST"
by Michael Edds
In my continued research on the "old wells of revival" I have discovered some incredibly contrasting bits of information. One of the top televangelists in the nation was recently invited to preach in Baltimore, Maryland. His terms for coming were:
#1. That he must be picked up by a limousine at the airport, #2. That he must have $1,000 spending money,
#3. That he must be guaranteed at least $10,000 in offerings.
This same televangelist/ pastor lives in a multi million-dollar mansion, eats in the finest restaurants and wears the most expensive tailor-made suits. His writings and speaking engagements have garnered millions of dollars. He brags that he is a role model of the prosperity message of our day. He pastors a mega church, appears on national and international television, has authored many books and draws tens of thousands to hear him. To his credit, he is a powerful, commanding speaker. However, please contrast this to the following life and ministry of the great circuit rider, Francis Asbury in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
While still in his 20's, Francis Asbury left his home and family forever in England to come to a wilderness called America. He came to be a traveling preacher/evangelist in a nation with little infrastructure such as roads, decent housing, few hotels and restaurants, poor sanitation and dangerous drinking water, few medical professionals and limited law enforcement. The nation had recently plunged into a violent war of independence against Asbury's native land of England. The American frontier was also ablaze with war between the colonist and Native Americans tribes.
Asbury was not greeted upon his arrival by a limo. He had to purchase a horse on which he traveled 6,000 a year for over 40 years. His financial reward was $60 a year, much of which he gave away or sent back to England to help his parents. He wore hand-me-downs not tailor made suits. He had no retirement, no insurance, no dental plan, and no 401 k. He set no fee for his ministry.
What he did receive, he often gave away. He traveled on "roads" on which his horse sank many times knee-deep in mud. If a road did not exist, he would lead his horse over the steep, rocky incline s of the Appalachians to reach a pioneer community. Many times, his feet and legs were bloodied and bruised by the horrific journey. When he came to a river where there was no bridge or ferry, he would swim his horse across. Numerous times, he was nearly drowned by an angry, swollen stream. His "hotel" on many occasions was on a dirt floor in an overcrowded, rat-infested frontier cabin. Often times he slept in the woods, on a mountain ledge or in damp cave. Many days he would travel over 60 miles with nothing to eat. The paths and roads he traveled were full of dangers from murderers, thieves, wolves, bears, poisonous snakes and roaming bands of Native Americans with whom the frontiersmen were at war. If he met someone who needed a cloak, food or money, he would take what he had and give it to the person in need. Asbury sought out the forgotten, hidden places of early America. He traveled from New England, to the Midwest, and to the Deep South spreading the Gospel of Christ. When he would meet a person who was ill, he would minister to their physical needs with the last medication he had. He demanded nothing of others in order to come into a community. The demands he made were on himself. Frequently, his body would be racked with pain, illness, fever, hunger and weakness. His physical being would cry out for rest and nourishment. However, his spirit ruled his body. When truly unable to travel, he would mount his horse and ride for 8 hours or more through blinding snowstorms, torrential rain or in oppressive heat.
He too had been invited to Baltimore. In 1816 he was traveling by buggy through Virginia headed to the annual conference in Baltimore. However, he was dying. His last sermon was preached in Richmond. He had to be carried into the meeting room. He commented, "I am too weak t o walk but not to preach.” They sat him on a small table and he ministered the Word for the last time. He made it as far as Spotsylvania twenty miles north of Richmond. He body was rapidly failing. He stopped at a friend's house on Saturday. Shortly before he left this world he was asked, "Do you feel Jesus precious?" Summoning his last remaining strength, the great circuit rider raised both hands in victory. Minutes later he laid his head on a friend's hand and gently slipped away to be with the Lord. He owned no mansion, no land, and no bank account. His net worth was what he wore on his body. He was buried in a borrowed grave plot.
When Asbury came to America, there were few Methodist believers and fewer preachers. At the end of his ministry, there were over 240,000 Methodist believers and almost 8,000 ministers. He affected lives of thousands upon thousands. He changed the very course of American history. Among his converts were poor farmers, merchants, Governors of several states, frontiersmen, slaves, Native Americans, State Supreme Court Justices, attorneys, physicians, housewives, children, youth and people from all walks of life. He gave all he had. He sought nothing for himself. His passion was to bring salvation and the Light of the Gospel to those in darkness of sin. He loved a nation and made it his own even though he was not her native son.
Quite a CONTRAST between the CIRCUIT RIDER and the TELEVANGELIST!
One was selfless, the other selfish. One was people-centered, the other ego-centered. One was a Kingdom builder, the other an empire builder. One drew souls into the Kingdom of God; the other drew the masses into an arena. One demanded of him, the other demanded of others. One gave freely, the other commanded a price. One was a servant, the other a celebrity.
Hebrews 11:32-38 speaks about the real heroes of the faith: They were..."tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mocking and beatings, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were
sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented... they wandered in deserts, and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.... of whom the world was not worthy."
How long are we going to tolerate the "superstar syndrome" in the church? How long are we going to feed the ego and pocketbooks of these self-seeking charlatans, regardless of how articulate they are? How long will we continue to pack their arenas and buy their CDs, DVDs and books? How long will we pick them up in limos, and line their wallets with thousands and thousands of dollars to spend on self? How long will we tolerate apostasy?
My God, how far we have fallen! God is calling on us as His people to repent and turn from our wicked ways. He is calling us to seek HIS face. I am praying that God will overthrow this current, perverted religious system and will fulfill Jeremiah 3:15 and give us shepherds after His own heart...
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