Should " preachers" talk about prosperity ?

Question

This seems to be a very touchy subject for many folks
these days. A lot of preachers have been under the
gun lately for talking about prosperity. Which does not
always mean money, but an abundance of every aspect
in one's life. Now some say it is not for everyone to
hear. And there are others who say that it is wrong for
a preacher to be positive, when there is sin in the land.
Then you get the Hellfire and Brimstone sermon, all
the other days.... But I find that many Christains lack
motivation, and is need for inspiration. And that is
where prosperity comes in. Only the good apples get
mixed up with the bad. I don't think the CHURCH, should
be held accountable for preaching about prosperity.
In the end we all will be judged. So what do you think ?
Is it wrong, for preachers to preach about prosperity ?
Best answer wins. *

Answer 1

imo heres the deal ... God made a promise to repay in abundance anything given to Him ... its the only thing He ever specifically said to prove Him on ... and its a spiritual law ... BUT .... i think people get deceived by greed and they need to watch out ..

Answer 2

It's not wrong to teach about prosperity! But the type of 'prosperity' they teach about is wrong!!! Praying for money, new cars, even promotions is superficial and evil! Especially when you have an overabundance of those things all ready? As Christians we should now that it's more important to be willing to give up those material possessions for something even better! Not be being taught it's okay to ask God for these things!

That's my opinion. Good question :)

And I agree very much with what Steven said also! I know ALOT of people like that! and most of them seem to be from the south... but I'm sure they are every where. Those people don't pray to God they pray to thoughts of making themselves better. I believe the real test is when you do something nice for someone else Just Because and when you don't get paid back you '10 times over' materially you still continue to do good things! BEcause SOME people just take it toooo far! JUST because it says you will get paid back 10 times or whatever doesnt LITERALLY mean in money! being in the kingdom of God is more that 10 times any reward you could ever get here on earth and I just wish people could see that.

Answer 3

If it's the Father who prospered them, they should. The Bible is replete with verses which say that it is God's will that we should prosper. Proverbs 10:22 says, "THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD, IT MAKETH RICH, AND ADDETH NO SORROW WITH IT."

The principle behind real prosperity is seeking God's will first above wealth. (Matthew 6:33)

If God's will is being done, then the blessings of prosperity, enlightenment, good health will follow. This is a promise for those who obey, and those who "left all" for the sake of the gospel. Mark 10:28-30 is a fitting scripture which inspires those who left houses, families, self, for gospel's sake will inherit, or receive a "hundredfold" of blessings, here in this world and in the world to come... but there is "with persecutions" - a child of God must be prepared to go through this, it's part of the process.

Answer 4

I think preachers should be really carefull when talking about prosperity. Today people are so materialistically orientated and there are so many things that promote materialism over more deeper and significant things such as our relationship with ourselves, our families and God. A preacher promoting prosperity sounds like they're promoting materialistic values instead of spiritual values. Only through the spirit can true wealth be found, and some of that wealth may indeed be things of the material world.

Answer 5

If you read through the sayings of Jesus, he had more to say about money then he did about either heaven or hell (or both together). In todays society, were money issues cause nearly as many divorces as adultery, and where most people in deeply in debt and just "one paycheck from poverty", the church had BETTER be talking about financial issues.

If by "prosperity", you mean treating Christianity like a get rich quick game where faith makes you a millioniare overnight - forget it.

But if by "prosperity" you mean teaching people how to budget so that their money goes further, how to reduce debt, how to get rid of credit cards, build an emergency fund, invest for retirement, etc., that YES the church needs to be doing that.

As my pastor puts it, the word "prosperity" in the New Testament is the translation of a word that also means a "good journey". True prosperity is teaching God's people who to have a good journey through life by probably managing their money, marriages, families, jobs, church, appetite, etc.

Any church doing that, showing people how to live successfully day to day through the Bible principles in those areas will be a "prosperous" and growing church.

Answer 6

Preachers should preach from their mouths whatever the Lord has lain upon their hearts. If we are not prospering in God's word then we are just like the tares in the wheat. Only their to cause confusion and discord. I know that every word of the Lord I hear invokes me to attempt to be prosperous. I feel that if I'm not growing in the word, then I can not help others.

Answer 7

Preaching about prosperity is fine, The Bible has a lot to say about it, but when Preachers get into the "Prosperity Gospel" they fall into error, and it is not a good thing.
Minister

Answer 8

God would have us be in health & prosper according to our souls. 3Jn.

So? According to our soul choices. God's book is full of the message of prospering in all areas of our life. And you can check my Churches web site, because my Pastor preaces on Gods Grace & that we prosper in all areas of our life, including financially.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Why? Because if we didn't have blessed increase, we wouldn't have anything to give others.

I saw this on CBS news lately also. Even Joyce Meyer is under attack. Because much money goes into their ministries. So, they are checking out if they are really a 'non prophet' organization. And if their tax exempt status is threatened.

I am OK with them checking any of these Christian Evangelists, because they put the money to good use in reaching others & helping the unfortunate. If there is some corruption within the ministry (maybe not known by the Evangelist) it will be found out.


I have had victory in my life because of my Pastor who preaches victory in our life. The power of what we say. To speak the positive & increase in our life, in family love, in joy, in peace, in our finances, etc... And if I would decide to get mad at the pastor & his preaching of victory in our lives, then I would just not have any victory & probably die early.

God is the God of more than enouph with plenty left over. http://www.riveroflifefellowship.org

Answer 9

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but I have encountered a 'prosperity teaching' school of thought in the past. It presents 'faith' as a kind of 'slot-machine'. Put coins in the top, pull the handle and out drops a 100 times what you put in. In this way it denies the sovereignty of God and makes out that your own 'faith' is God. Some of these people also have a very cruel set of ideas about sickness and healing. If you don't get healed, they say, it must be your sin etc. I have seen a man dying of cancer condemned by these types. Words fail me. If you are unfortunate enough to meet these ideas, my advice is to walk away as fast as you can!!!

Answer 10

As it happens, I shall be touching on this issue this following Sunday. While it is a good thing to encourage Christians in their walk with the Lord and to cheer up those who are feeling down (the words "sursum corda"/ "lift up your hearts" used in churches in the Catholic/Anglican tradition mean "cheer up!"), prosperity theology is in fact a dangerous thing. On the one hand, it persuades those who are going through bad times that they are at fault. Poor old Job was told that by his comforters. The teaching of the Bible is that we are going to suffer as Christians and we had better face up to the fact. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16 v.33) Peter and Paul, appointed to particularly onerous tasks, were told that they would suffer and, indeed, die in the process. 2 Tim. 3 v. 2 tells us that everyone who will lead a godly life in Jesus will be persecuted. Being persecuted and badly treated for our faith is considered an honour both by Jesus (Matthew 5 v. 10) and Peter (1 Peter 4 v. 12-14). This, in short, is what we are led to expect from the Christian life.
Prosperity theology steers clear of addressing sin and the need for repentance. It does not explain about Christ's atoning death on the cross and why it was necessary. It dulls the senses and lulls congregations into thinking that the Christian message is all about feeling good and affirming victory. Victory over what, exactly? The only victory which is of importance is the final victory on the cross ("It is finished!") and, through that victory, our own victory over sin as the result of all which Christ has done and still does for us. That is the Gospel and it always has been the Gospel of Christ. Paul's words ring through two millennia as clearly and as appositely now as then: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
By all means, encourage Christians through preaching. But do not neglect to preach the Gospel, which is so vital for their salvation, and also to feed them with the milk of the Word rather than mislead them into thinking that they are winning when in fact they are sliding down a slippery slope to perdition.

Answer 11

The love of money has been called the rout of all evil
so a church needs to preach about sharing ones blessings with the rest of humanity...