In the Gospels, Christ seems to teach against acquiring a vast amount of material wealth. The Sermon on the Mount includes "Blessed are the poor in spirit" the phrase "the poor in spirit" can be interpreted as those who can get along on very little. He warns his disciples that when they travel the world teaching the Gospel they should take nothing of value with them. Jesus warns against laying up treasure on Earth where moths destroy and robbers steal but rather lay up treasure in heaven.
Doesn't the message generally known as the "Prosperity Gospel" -- the idea that God wants Christians to have material wealth and success contradict Christ's teachings?
2007-03-22 17:28:10 · 27 answers · asked by Cacaoatl 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes it goes against the teachings of Chirst.
We are not to build up treasure where moth and rust can eat at them Our treasure should be built to be stowed in heaven.
Those that are teaching that we are to build our treasures here are not upholding the teachings of Christ Jesus.
2007-03-22 17:36:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why would you turn to any other book than the "Holy Bible". Both Hebrews and Christians believe that the Bible was written under the
Guidance and inspiration of GOD.
If they do not truly believe this, then they have no authority source upon which to base their faith! The last book of the bible, says, 'This is the word of GOD. Nothing shall be added and nothing shall be taken away.
What ever else that is written is from man.
And as you know, every person has some other idea, other way, different values.
Worst, many do, say, write, what ever they think will support their agenda, way or support what they want!
If you are Christian or Hebrew, why not let the Bible be your Source of information! Too, be careful not to use VERSIONS of the Bible!
A version of anything is not the real, original source. Although I read from the Bible very frequently, I have never found or read, Prosperity Gospel, in the Holy Bible.
Let the Holy Bible be your soul source and you will not be confused with mans ideas.
2007-03-23 01:02:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The biggest problem with the "Prosperity Gospel" is that it's all about what I can get from God, not what I can do for God. The Prosperity Gospel teaches that God is supremely interested in our well being and not the advancement of His kingdom. Calls to be a martyr, to daily take up the cross, and to preserve in prayer and fasting are ignored because it hurts me. It’s all about my comfort. It’s all about ME.
Honestly, I think when Atheists complain about the "straw man" of Christianity, I think they are talking primarily about the Prosperity Gospel preached by so many churches today. It *is* a straw man. It turns God into a big vending machine and allows "Christians" to greedily consume what they want. There is no repentance. Jesus Christ has no Lordship. There is no rebirth of the spirit or transforming of the mind. There is no power. It's a far cry from the Church of Acts and the Christianity presented in the New Testament of the Bible that turned the whole Roman Empire upside down.
God does like to bless His people, and there is nothing wrong with being blessed. However, you aren't to horde it all for yourself. With your blessings God expects you to be a blessing. Give generously to build a well in Africa, support a missionary in Southeast Asia, run an orphanage in Detroit, or help a single mom pay her month's rent.
2007-03-23 00:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by Joel S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Christ doesn't teach that it is wrong to have material wealth. The problem that he states that springs from material wealth is the fact that people begin to serve their interests in their money rather than serving God. Being myself a youth pastor and a Bible Student of Philadelphia Biblical University I have never heard of the Beatitude "Blessed are the poor in spirit" being referred to as those who are poor in wealth. Actually, just in the wording it cannot possibly be that. If Christ had meant that, he would have said "Blessed are the poor in flesh, or body" The fact that he says spirit is speaking more towards those who are humble and contrite before God.
God is the purveyor of all wealth, and has many times raised up great leaders who had great wealth both before and after their rise. True some people distort or pervert the Gospel solely for material gain, those are the people Christ speaks about.
So, per se, the prosperity Gospel is not wrong, however, the focus is wrong. Christ says the only things he guarentees to give us is food and clothing, (see the passage in matthew about the sparrows and lillies) Christ is not against us having wealth, so long as we use the wealth God has given us to further the Kingdom of God.
2007-03-23 00:35:41 · answer #4 · answered by J.R. 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is not wise to only teach prosperity because not every Christian will be wealthy. Prosperity Gospel is popular now and many sheep follow after it because it's soothing. However Jesus warned us to not be deceived. If they are not talking about salvation and how to live a life that is pleasing to God find somewhere else to go.
God wants us to prosper and be in good health even as our souls prosper. But the money you are blessed with you should sow it back into God's kingdom. (via tithes, offerings, things to uplift the church etc)
Very few rich people do this. As a matter of fact they try to find a way to get richer. They then depend on money instead of relying on God. Thus money, the status of having money, the fame, etc becomes your god.
The poor have nothing and God blesses them. They are usually the strongest in spiritual gifts, strongest in faith, and they are able to trust in God more.
Finally, since we are strangers in this land, it does us no good to cling to anything here. Because our ultimate treasure is in Heaven.
2007-03-23 01:05:08 · answer #5 · answered by hyrlady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The prosperity gospel is a very dangerous teaching in Christianity. This teaching says that in order to be blessed by God you must give a lot of money to the church and than God will bless you financially. It also teaches that those who are poor of not well off cannot possibly be blessed by God.
There is nothing wrong with having things but what is wrong is making our things and money our god or idol.
We are told to tithe a tenth of our income to the church and anything above that is considered an offering. We do not tithe because God will bless us but because the Bible says that if we do not we will be robbing God.
God blesses each of us everyday by giving us the gift of life. He has provided for our needs.
It is remarkable how much stuff we have accumulated and how much we really can live without.
2007-03-23 00:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by zoril 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus wants us to have Spiritual abundance, not necessarily Economical or Social abundance.
If the Prosperity Gospel is true, then Jesus and Paul will be the most pitiful person in Christianity. Their Christianity contradict to that of the teachers of the Prosperity Gospel.
2007-03-23 01:28:31 · answer #7 · answered by amsops 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily, Poor in spirit, has nothing at all to do with money and possessions. It has to do with being humble and not prideful.
God wants us to be able to live a life free from struggles that so many are drowning in. How are we to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth if we have no finances to do it?? God will only allow those that have shown they can be faithful with a little finances to have a lot.
2007-03-23 00:38:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think it does contradict Christ's teachings. It may be possible to defend the "Prosperity Gospel" on the basis of certain proverbs, but I do not think it can be defended based on Christ's teachings. Jesus taught that people should give up everything to follow him, and to only have what is necessary. He stressed how difficult it was for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He may not have ruled it out as entirely impossible, but he stressed that it was so difficult, that I would think that Christians would be very wary of storing up wealth.
2007-03-23 00:37:44 · answer #9 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some of the poorest people I know have great material wealth, and they are the most impoverished.
What Jesus was talking about has nothing to do with money, or lack of same. It has everything to do with attitude. Jesus should have said "When you travel, take only those things which have value to you." That would have meant to travel with only one's integrity and character.
Nietzsche in "Also Sprach Zarathustra" provided a good interpretation of the Christ without all the post-era revisionism.
2007-03-23 00:36:08 · answer #10 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is contrary.
I don't agree with that type of gospel message. Unfortunately it has penetrated deep within many evangelical churches of today. A lot of what you hear today in many churches is like pop psychology.
Christ didn't save us so we can be materially rich. He saved us that we may be a light into a world that needs hope.
The word of God states:
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Whatever happened to hearing truth from God's Word alone?
2007-03-23 00:36:35 · answer #11 · answered by Archangel 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋