THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL VS CHRISTIANITY

Those who pedal the prosperity gospel are what the Bible refers to as those who use “godliness as a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:5 says we should “withdraw ourselves from them.” That is because they are false teachers. Their goal is to get you excited about becoming rich in this present world.

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… Riches profit not on the day of Judgment, but righteousness delivers from death.”

The word “prosper” can only be found three times in the whole New Testament (KJV). One time it refers to making donations for Paul’s ministry, another in regard to Pauls journey, and the other one is A rebuke issued to To the Church in Laodicea…

“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)

This sounds like a direct rebuke to the followers of prosperity preachers that use the godliness for gain and lead people into a pit of greed and the self-gratifying pursuit of worldly gain. Listen to his stern admonition to these people…

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Revelation 3:18-19)

Only 3 mentions of the word prosper in the NT and not one of them has to do with Christians enjoying riches and the pleasures of this life. But the word “suffer” is mentioned 135 times, 84 of which refer directly to Christ or the Christian.

Matthew 16:21 - From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things….

Then we find Paul being chosen, not for a life of prosperity but a life of suffering…
Acts 9:16 - “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Why did Paul Suffer? It’s revealed in 2 Timothy 1:12 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Aren’t we supposed to follow the example of Christ? Yet Jesus came to “suffer” many things, not to prosper in the riches or pleasures of this life, so who’s example are we following when we promote and pursue a life of worldly gain while a preacher can rarely be found proclaiming the gospel in public?

1 Peter 2:21 Says it all - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…

”But I thought being a Christian would be fun…” Fun? Fun hardly describes what Christians in the early church had to endure. If you want to have fun, go follow Buddha. In fact being a Buddhist is all about trying to escape suffering. But being a Christian means we have the privilege of sharing in His suffering…

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Jesus never preached on prosperity in terms of monetary riches and temporal gain. He simply told us not to worry about having our daily needs met. And he spent a lot of time warning us against the deceitfulness of riches and the pleasures of this world.

Matthew 13:22 - He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Mark 4:19 - And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

THIS IS WHY SATAN LOVES THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL… It is the easiest way to choke the life out of a Christian. Just like Satan promised Jesus the kingdoms of this world in exchange for His worship, money hungry prosperity preachers are deceiving thousands into believing it is God’s will that they live in wealth as though the kingdoms of this world are theirs to be had. Satan is a master of disguises… the Bible says he disguises himself as an angel of light… Satan can wear a suit on Sunday, carry a bible under his arm, stand in a pulpit and lead you straight to hell. That is why Jesus said BEWARE of false teachers, they come to you as sheep, but are ravenous wolves…

This is the call of true Christianity… Mark 8:34 - “And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

The cross represents suffering. And anyone who is not willing to suffer for Christ, will have no desire or intention to carry such a cross. Those who think the Christian life is to be a life of lavish prosperity, are storing up treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy… and those who come to Christ out of a desire to experience a more fulfilling, prosperous, and happy life will use their “relationship with God” as a means of comfort and will never truly enter the Kingdom of heaven because the idea of losing their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel is counter-productive to their targeted goal, which is to live life to the fullest… to get the most out of life. Jesus said, “For What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul… That’s also why He said it is pretty much impossible for a RICH MAN to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:23-24 - Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say to you, How hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:23-24 - And Jesus looked round about, and said to his disciples, How hard it is for them that have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

The Christian life as set forth in the New Testament is one that calls us to Suffer for His namesake, not to prosper for our own sake.

The Only time prospering is godly is when it goes to further the Kingdom of God if it will bring glory and honor to His name. Jesus set the standard for Christian living when He said, 18″If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you… a servant is not above his master… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also”

You want to talk about a wonderful plan for your future Christian… this is what Jesus predicted would happen to us in the last days… “you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Matt 24:9

We have been called to die to self. A dead man has no fear of losing his life. If you’re already dead to the world and alive in Christ, what are you afraid of??? GIVE IT UP!

But Remember this. YOUR SUFFERING IS NOT IN VAIN!

In Ephesians 3:13 Paul reveals that his sufferings are worthwhile because they are beneficial for those who will be saved or influenced for good as a result. He says, “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

He considered his suffering to be worthwhile. On the day of Judgment, How many souls will you find out have been won to Christ because one Christian was wiling to suffer persecution?

2 Thess 1:4-5 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

And now an invitation to those of you who have avoided a fully surrendered life to Christ…

2 Tim 1:8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

Rev Chris Curry
www.LivingWatersCanada.com