The prosperity gospel is very polarizing. There are those who swear by it and there are those who believe it is a doctrine straight from the pit of hell. Confession time, I have sat on both ends of these poles 🙈
I started off as an ardent believer of the prosperity gospel. I listened to sermons that told me God wanted me to be rich and all I needed was faith as little as a mustard seed. So I started to have “faith” as I understood it. I claimed cars, houses, lifestyle…you get the drift. I gave and gave and when I was done giving, I gave some more. I woke up at midnight to pray because I was taught that was the most powerful time in the spirit. At this time, my prayers will not be hindered and will reach the Father quickly. I was in the habit of undertaking Esther fasts- no food or drinks for 3 straight days. Although, I did sneak in a sweet or ten 🙊I spoke forth what I wanted to see and what I wanted to see was the prosperity I was taught. I wanted to be able to enjoy the type of life I saw the oft-branded “prosperity” preachers living. I wanted insurance against poverty.
Needless to say, my efforts were anything but successful. The shortcut to wealth I thought I could get through my foolishness led me nowhere. I had to resort to the dreaded hard work…and as a result I got bitter. I was so angry at God and the prosperity preachers that I did not want to hear any sermon that touched on wealth. As soon as the pastor would mention anything concerning money, I would literally feel my heart shut down. After all, working in the investment world, I now knew the realities of wealth and I did not need a preacher looking to collect an offering telling me anything to do with money! And none of this God will provide nonsense that was usually preceded by the story of the widow of Zarephath who gave her last to Prophet Elijah (1 Kings17:7-15). I was done! Dramatic…erm…yes!
There is a story I love in the book of Joshua. Israel had just defeated Jericho and were on to capturing Ai. Except, they were humiliated and turned back by the army of Ai. Joshua, shocked at their defeat cried out to God:
Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?
Joshua 7:7-9
In effect, Joshua was throwing a tantrum…but He directed it at God. And that is what I decided to do. I wanted to know the truth about the prosperity gospel from the Gospel Himself. And just as God answered Joshua and revealed to him the sin that caused Israel’s shame, the Lord has answered me through His Word.
[…] Let God be true, and every man a liar[…]
Romans 3:4
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Luke 21:33
So this week we start on a new series…as we rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us, through the Word concerning this topic.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Your Turn
A lot of times our spiritual views are shaped by a mix of the doctrine we received and our interpretation of the doctrine.
While I believe there is wrong doctrine on this topic, I am also aware that I took perfectly good doctrine and twisted it to either serve my greed or justify my hurt. Case in point, the story of Elijah and the widow.
But God is faithful and He will always guide us towards the Truth of His Word (as He did for me with Giving).
Today I ask you to have an open mind and heart as we begin this series. I also ask you to release your hurts and forgive those who may have led you astray where this topic is concerned.
Be blessed ☺