The fraud of the prosperity gospel

The prosperity gospel is widely criticized as a deceptive, false teaching that distorts biblical scripture for financial gain, promises a life free of suffering, and makes vulnerable people feel guilty for their misfortune.
The dangers of the prosperity gospel
Exploits vulnerable people
Encourages reckless giving. The prosperity gospel teaches that giving money to the church is a "seed of faith" that God is obligated to return to the giver with great financial abundance. This places undue financial burdens on believers, sometimes leading to debt or financial ruin while enriching church leaders.
Creates guilt over suffering. When sickness, poverty, or other hardships inevitably occur, the teaching suggests that it is due to a lack of faith or insufficient giving on the part of the believer. This causes profound psychological and spiritual harm, leaving people feeling personally responsible for their own suffering and abandoned by God.
Dismisses empathy. This mindset cultivates a lack of compassion for those who are suffering, as followers may conclude that the poor and sick are simply being punished by God for their lack of faith.
Distorts biblical teaching
Turns faith into a transaction. Prosperity theology reduces the relationship with God to a transactional exchange, where faith is seen as a force to manipulate God into granting desires. This contradicts the biblical concept of faith as trust and submission to God's will.
Misrepresents giving. While the Bible encourages cheerful giving, the prosperity gospel presents it as a business transaction where a believer invests money to receive a hundredfold return. This distorts the motive for giving from worship to personal greed.
Ignores suffering. A central aspect of the true gospel is that following Christ may involve tribulation and suffering in this life. The prosperity gospel ignores or denies this, setting up adherents for disappointment and a crisis of faith when trials arise.
Reinterprets biblical verses out of context. Prosperity teachers often cherry-pick Bible verses to support their claims while ignoring the original meaning. For example, they may misinterpret Old Testament promises to Israel or New Testament verses on giving to promote their own self-serving messages.
Elevates human desires above God's will
Focuses on self. This teaching makes human desires the central focus of the gospel rather than Christ and eternal life. God becomes a "cosmic bellhop" who exists to serve people's wants, not a sovereign Lord to be served.
Promotes pride and greed. It frames material wealth as a sign of God's favor, which can lead to pride in the "blessed" and a lack of empathy for others. This contradicts biblical warnings about the dangers of the love of money.
Fails to prepare believers. By emphasizing present-day comfort, the prosperity gospel leaves followers unprepared for the inevitable hardships of life. In contrast, true biblical teaching helps believers cultivate resilience by finding hope and strength in God during trials.
Lies promoted by prosperity gospel teachers
You must give to get: The teaching that giving money is a surefire way to "unlock" God's blessings and receive a huge financial return is a tactic used to enrich leaders.
"Name it and claim it": This doctrine asserts that believers can manifest their desires by speaking them into existence, reducing prayer to a formulaic tool for personal gain.
Faith is a force: Prosperity teachers claim that faith is a spiritual force that can be generated to activate spiritual laws and compel God to act on your behalf.
Sickness and poverty are signs of weak faith: This cruel lie blames the victim for their suffering, attributing their misfortunes to personal failures rather than acknowledging that suffering is a part of life.
Jesus died for your wealth and health: This teaching claims that material blessings were purchased for all believers at the cross, diminishing the atonement's true purpose of spiritual redemption.