Thoughts On WOF And Prosperity Preaching

[Meg]

Prosperity preaching only works when financial circumstances support it. There are certainly some very wealthy non-pastoral Christians who would have made basically the same education and career choices even had they not been Christians. These are talented, ambitious people who do very well in secular careers, whom have also given their lives to Christ. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with these people giving their lives to Christ, in fact the benefit they bring to their place in the community is inestimable, and we shouldn't want it any other way. But false teachers exploit these people's obvious successes to build their case for the false prosperity gospel, making it appear that if everyone just "wishes" hard enough in the name of Jesus Christ that they too will be career successes without taking the time and trouble to do the same things to develop their careers as the wealthy people did.

When the attractive lie finds itchy ears, yet stern reality refutes the lie anyway, the victims blame God. This then, becomes an excuse to accuse God of not "keeping His promises", so they excuse themselves from any obligation to repent of their own sins. From there, the damage from their sinful lifestyles and choices become further excuse to blame God, or to simply deny Him while blaming other people for their own sins, and thus perpetuating bitterness, self pity and atheism. This is the devastating conclusion of the failure of prosperity preaching, and I see a lot of this in my area.

[ArmyofHeaven777]

I'm not speaking about anyone here, because everyone here from what I see are true and faithful Christians. But by and large, the reason why imho "prosperity" preaching has flourished because the tax-deductible contributions tickle the ears.

No, I'm not saying we would be sinning if we report our tax-deductible contributions on our Sch A's, but if our INTENT to give is so that we would get a nice rebate the year after, then it's not going to work. IMHO, the prosperity pastors are trying to use this "tax-deductible" excuse to their advantage.

Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.