Why The Prosperity Gospel Is The Worst Pyramid Scheme Ever

The Gospel Coalition ^ | 01/27/2015 | Nicholas McDonald, Associate Pastor at Carlisle Congregational Church

[Alex Murphy]

....the prosperity gospel is strikingly similar to a pyramid scheme in at least three ways.

1. It’s based on the deceptive success of the guy at the top.... The people who fund the prosperity pastor’s success, in other words, are the people at the bottom of the pyramid. Of course it works for him. He’s at the top.

2. It’s a lie told to desperate people....“When you live in poverty” the missionary with Borthwick said, “you don't want to feel loved. You want God's power to make you prosper. . . . [T]hey have been taught [that] money is the way to release the power.”

3. It feeds our idolatry....We want the money, health, and esteem they offer—and we want it quick. We want to believe it can all happen with the flick of a “faith” switch in our brains. We want it desperately. I’ll never forget the time I challenged my friend’s health-and-wealth notions with the life of the apostle Paul. She replied, “Well, Paul didn’t have enough faith.”

That is a great picture!

[richmwill]

Our church years ago had a “Prosperity Gospel” Guest Speaker state during his sermon that his brother had a rotten tooth, went to bed one night and when he woke up, God had blessed him with a solid gold tooth in place of the rotten one. Wonder if he noticed me trying to stifle my laughter? And he never did get asked to speak again, come to think of it.

[the_Watchman]

Ping for the TGC. I attended the TGC conference on the text of the Bible last week in Phoenix. It was held at my church.

[Star Traveler]

If one believes this HERESY of the Prosperity Gospel, then they are going to have to explain Hebrews 11!

[Tax-chick]

Does the author hope we’ll buy his book when it comes out?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: God had blessed him with a solid gold tooth in place of the rotten one.

I’d rather have white, normal teeth than one that would make me slowly look like JAWS ( of James Bond fame ).

[Gamecock]

PFL

[Star Traveler]

You know ... the absolute best way for Jesus to BLESS YOU is, simply, to KILL YOU! To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord ...

[Gamecock]

Maybe I need to include that in a collection of YBPDLN pics.

[Sans-Culotte]

I drive past Lakewood every day. I’d like to see that picture as the background of their sign.

[tbw2]

God blessed a number of patriarchs like Abraham and Issac with wealth. However, that was almost secondary to the spiritual blessings.
And becoming right with God does not mean you will become rich - though living by Biblical principals a la Dave Ramsey can help you get out of poverty.

[MNDude]

You’ve gotta be careful who you listen to these days. That’s why I only listen to Benny Hinn.

[KoRn]

"Guest Speaker state during his sermon that his brother had a rotten tooth, went to bed one night and when he woke up, God had blessed him with a solid gold tooth in place of the rotten one."

I'd throw a tomato at anyone peddling such bullshit. CLEARLY a lie was told somewhere. Either by the preacher, his brother, or BOTH. People DO NOT wake up with Gold teeth; unless he was knocked out, Gold tooth inserted while he was under, and he wakes up. lol

[SeekAndFind]

You’ve gotta be careful who you listen to these days. That’s why I only listen to Benny Hinn.

I actually listen to him for entertainment...

[SeekAndFind]

[CynicalBear]

I hope you just forgot the sarcasm tag.

[Gamecock]

I’ll give you $50 if you make a poster of it and stand out front waving it in the air!

[stars & stripes forever]

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

God gives us the desires of our heart when our desires become the desires of His heart.

[Gamecock]

You’ve gotta be careful who you listen to these days. That’s why I only listen to Benny Hinn.

Good call.