The Prosperity Gospel is a teaching that is in contrast with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ based on its focus on earthly gain and personal desire. It is fundamentally characterized by its emphasis on material and physical blessings in the present life as a result of faith and giving.

This brand of Christianity teaches that Jesus desires comfort and abundance for believers in terms of better living conditions, financial stability, a better present and a brighter future. It is an idea that God wants the faithful to materially rich and even physically healthy.

The Prosperity Gospel takes the principles of Christian sacrifice and transforms them into Christian accumulation. It centers on the self, focusing on what God can give “me” or what “I can get” in exchange for faithfulness. This teaching is frequently associated with greed, as some popular TV/internet preachers urge followers to donate generously, promising that the Lord will bring them prosperity in return. These pastors often live lavish lifestyles, with huge mansions, private jets and fancy cars. Greed and ego are often subtle and powerful, making Christianity look bad to non-Christians and negatively impacting Jesus’ message.

Related ideas include phrases like “Name it and claim it” or “Decree and declare,” which twist the power of positive thinking or God’s word into a self-serving perspective. This approach often leads to disappointment for millions of Christians who follow it. The belief that one can declare what they want and God must make it happen is a form of idolatry, as the person demanding it is taking the place of God.

Some preachers of the Prosperity Gospel suggest that if a person is a good Christian, only positive things like wealth and physical healing will happen to them. They may tell people who are not healed that they simply do not have enough faith, causing the congregant to feel like the failure.

The Prosperity Gospel is a corruption of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, primarily because it contradicts core biblical teachings on discipleship, wealth and focus. True Christian discipleship is “costly,” requiring self-sacrifice and following in Jesus’ footsteps, not earthly accumulation. The “abundance” Christians receive is meant to be spiritual, not earthly. The Christian is promised spiritual rewards, not earthly gain.

The Prosperity Gospel is built upon the desires of the flesh. It teaches followers to put their ego in the center of their prayer life. In contrast, Jesus taught that blessings belong to the poor in spirit (the humble-minded). Godliness is a means of great gain only when accompanied by contentment. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. Contentment means accepting life and trusting God to provide what we need, not continually trying to get “more.”

Jesus explicitly warned, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Jesus taught his followers not to store up treasures on earth where they can be destroyed, but to store up treasures in heaven. The true value of Christianity is lost when focusing on wealth. Jesus was clear that “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and wealth.” Wealth should be a tool to serve God, not a master. He told the rich young ruler to sell all he possessed and give to the poor to have treasure in heaven and follow him. This illustrates that wealth can be a major obstacle to entering the kingdom. Jesus himself did not own property or live lavishly, setting an example of humility; “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

But what about the various Old Testament scriptures that show physical wealth for faithfulness?

The Prosperity Gospel often errs by taking Old Testament promises about physical and earthly prosperity (given to Israel as a reward for obedience under the Law) and applying them incorrectly to Christianity. The Old Testament covenant with Israel promised physical, earthly prosperity for faithfulness. The Christian call is to a life of spiritual sacrifice, and the reward for faithfulness is spiritual and heavenly.

In summary, the Prosperity Gospel promotes an “all about me” approach, seeking earthly wealth and comfort, which is the direct opposite of the true Gospel’s call for self-sacrifice, spiritual maturity and contentment in pursuing God’s will.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1188: “Do We Have the Purpose of the Holy Spirit Backwards?”
Distinguishing God’s power from our own desires in our daily life
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