Posted on 06/27/2019 6:35:16 AM PDT by Gamecock
Hate is a strong word. Using it should always be done in prudent fashion. People today hate a lot of things, but we must ensure we’re hating the right things. Hate is simply defined as “intense or passionate dislike” and can be a helpful learning tool for others who may be wondering why you feel so strongly about __________ (insert issue here).
In several simple paragraphs, I want to share with you why I hate the prosperity gospel. Let the reader understand, I don’t necessarily hate the people preaching it or family members who propagate it, nor do I believe that malicious or violent behavior towards a prosperity preacher is becoming of Christians. Such a thing is detestable. Still, there is an anger that God considers to be righteous (Ephesians 4:26) and we have a duty as Christians to push away apathy and embrace action when it comes to anything that tears down our God and His truth. Hatred, albeit taboo to say so, is not always a bad thing. Anger towards that which is “anti-Christ” is acceptable in God’s sight but it should always be accompanied by humble prayer and biblical explanation lest we become the dragon we’re trying to slay.
With a level-headed understanding of the kind of “hatred” in focus, here are 5 reasons why I absolutely hate the prosperity gospel:
I. It’s not good news
I’ve heard friends say, “There’s really no such thing as the prosperity gospel because there is only one gospel.” I completely agree, though I still prefer to use the terminology because people understand it so easily. “Gospel” literally means good news, and the prosperity gospel is not that at all. While prosperity preachers sell what appears to be good fortune, it’s actually damning heresy that paves the road to hell. Too strong? Not when you compare the true gospel to the lunacy that prosperity preachers promise. I love seeing lost people saved by the Gospel so much that I hate anything that gets in the way of them hearing transformational truth (Galatians 1:6-12; Romans 1:16).
II. It blasphemes Scripture
If you love God’s word, the Bible, would you ever want to lie to people about what it really says? One of the most hateful and abusive things happening in the church-world today is when a person opens the Bible and uses it as a tool for deception. This is blasphemy. This is what prosperity preachers do. The Bible declares some incredible things about itself. 2 Timothy 3:16 specifically reminds us that Scripture is “God breathed.” How dare someone take what comes directly from the Holy One and use it for sordid gain?
III. It insults Christ
I hate the way the prosperity gospel insults my Lord. He’s worthy of honor, glory, and praise. One day, every knee will bow before Him and declare Him King (Romans 14:11). But for now, there are those who smear His heavenly name to build their earthly empire. They ascribe promises to men that Jesus never made. Jesus did not come to inaugurate a get-rich-quick scheme for humanity, He came to fulfill a redemptive plan. What an insult to make Jesus into a lottery ticket! Jesus didn’t die on the cross to provide a steady stream of Bentley’s, Big Diamonds, and Botox. He died on the cross to provide our atonement. We deserved wrath for sin but He took our place. We deserved an eternity in hell but He ensured heaven would be home for those who put their faith in Him.
IV. It exploits the poor
Slowly read 1 John 3:17-18 for a moment: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Now, imagine a prosperity preacher flying into a poor country on a private jet, staying in luxurious hotels far away from the slums, and then packing a soccer stadium with 300,000 desperate people in order to exploit them for money and good TV marketing. Then, imagine the prosperity preacher airing their perfectly edited program on TBN (or other platform) and telling their American (and global) audience to give money to help the poor people they’re reaching who need the gospel. Lastly, imagine the money pouring in and the ministry CFO ensuring that millions of dollars goes to the “anointed” leader to fuel his lavish lifestyle. Wash, rinse, repeat. I’ve been there and done that. It’s fun on the inside but scary once you think about eternal ramifications. God loves the poor. Exploit them and you’re going to be dealing with Him one day.
V. It has become mainstream
Have you ever been tossed by a wave in the ocean? I remember the feeling of total helplessness several years ago during a morning surf in California. Forecasts predicted ten foot swells so a couple friends and I packed up our egos and went out to surf. Fast forward to me gasping for air and getting crushed by wave after wave as the sets rolled in with little relief. I had no business being in the water that day. Nothing is more disheartening than being crushed by the momentum of something you cannot control. Similarly, I hate the prosperity gospel because it has produced a massive wave of destruction across the globe. Worst of all, that wave of destruction has become mainstream. People want it (2 Timothy 4:3-4). From America, to Africa, to South America and beyond, the prosperity gospel is en vogue.
If you hate the prosperity gospel as much as I do, the most loving thing you can do is speak the truth to those who need to hear it the most
IMHO, Dave Ramsey is simply a financial adviser to people who have trouble balancing a budget or living within their means or saving for the future. Not quite the same thing as someone promising Gods blessings because of your donations to the Church of Empty Souls.
I could’ve posted the same thing you did. We have similar philosophies. At my age, decluttering is more important than collecting useless gee-gaws and what-knots. Less is more.
the Prosperity Gospel preachers are psychological scam artists.
Benny Hinn and Creflo Dollar are a couple I can think of off the top of my head. Basically, if they own their own jet, it’s a good chance they are prosperity preachers.
I’ve seen Benny Hinn before. Doesn’t he wear suits with sort of a Nehru collar? Never heard of the improbably named Mr. Dollar. I’ll have to look him up.
Yup.
And he slays people in the Holy Spirit!
Never heard of the improbably named Mr. Dollar. I’ll have to look him up.
Please, allow me!
Creflo Dollar: Megachurch Pastor Slams Critics, Insists The ‘Devil’ Blocked His $65M Jet Dream
How Pastor Creflo Dollar Manipulates A Lower-Class Community Into Giving Him Millions
I do not like the prosperty preachers at all but I also do not
feel sorry for the people they scam as it takes very little Bible
reading to see that they are wrong.
Also the prosperity preachers are not much different from the
preachers for hire as they are just more ambitious and think they
are their own boss even though they are working for Satan.
Jesus had something to say about the hirelings which thousands of
churches has.
Some one will make the statement that a man is worthy of his wages
and that is true but a preacher of God is not working for wages he
is giving of himself.
Any one should be able to read about what happened on the day of
Pentecost, believers who wanted to join Christ sold every thing they
had an laid the proceeds down at the apostles feet, these
believers became the church they worked 24 hours a day if needed to do
God’s work.
Yet today any one can become a church member and never have to do
anything they don’t even have to attend church.
I know several preachers who do not take wages and these are the ones
who will preach the truth, many of them lead churches who do not collect
thighes and like Paul they work and support them selves.
Jesus said the preachers for hire will flee when the wolves come, it looks
to me like the wolves have come and you can see by the head lines on f.r.
that the hirlings are fleeing( giving in) because people loves religion
but do not believe in God.
I believe we are now living in judgement day and what I have said I do not say to critisize
because if I get through the straight gate most of you will be there ahead of me.
I’ve heard him talk about his experiences before.
It’s good to hear someone speaking out against this heresy.
Who and what God hates is what counts. Sadly too few actually are taught that there are things that God ‘hates’..... IF a preacher for hire, preaches about ‘wealth’, then one knows where his/her heart is. Climate change taxation is a prosperity ‘gospel’ for some. To be an American, is one of the most blessed ‘possessions’ a human could have inherited... Again, the wolves are out there attempting to destroy that inheritance. Mind you some in the ‘name’ of Jesus, have their charities fed right from our taxpayer treasury.
The unqualified Stephen Furtick is another.
“Pastor Steven Furtick’s newly built $1.7 million, 16,000 square-foot mansion is under the spotlight. A few comments in no particular order of importance:”
https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2013/10/in-his-house-are-many-mansions.html
Furtick Prepares His Church for News Report About His 16,000 SF "Not That Great of a House" Mansion
And let's not forget about his good buddy Perry Noble:
Ousted Pastor of S.C. Megachurch has had Close Ties to Elevation’s Furtick
and
Thanks guys. That is some pretty wild stuff.
I am almost speechless. Thanks for posting. I’ve never been to a Pentecostal service, but I’ve heard of “this” before for many years. It is very difficult for me as an orthodox-believing Christian to watch this.
My pleasure! As keeper of the YBPDLN Ping List that is my sacred duty.
Almost all prosperity preachers also believe in the heresy of Word of Faith. Basically they believe Jesus’ death on the cross was not sufficient, he first had to go to hell and pay for the sins of mankind through more pain and torment. After three days he was “born again” and raised from the grave. As a result when we are born again we become little gods and can create wealth and health with our own words.
I have seen this kind of thing in Pentecostal services.
Not quite to the degree that Hinn does, but those people in those services think Benny Hinn is a great preacher and when they see people falling or dropping like that, they think it’s wonderful cause work of the Holy Spirit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.