Recently, someone implied that I, and others like me, that are opposed to what is known as the “prosperity gospel”, paint the Christian as someone that “should be broke, depressed and tore up”. Of course, I did not intend any such thing.
What my protestor missed is that the life of faith is not about whether one “should be broke, depressed and tore up”, but rather it is about contentment – regardless of riches or poverty. Contentment can not be bought. As the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned that whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Let’s make no bones about it – the prosperity gospel crowd preaches a false gospel wherein money satisfies, not Christ. The Bible says “they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition”, and again “he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent”.
As John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. The ultimate goal of every true believer is to find our peace in Him, and not in things. We must name fasle prophets and denounce their lies. Men and women that preach prosperity instead of repentance from sin and faith toward Christ preach a false gospel. We should be greatly concerned about the damage the lying prophets are doing to the name of Christ and to the souls of their followers.
Edited in on 27 NOV 07: The dialog can be found here: http://acnn.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/mega-church%e2%80%99s-wealth/
Sovereign God Ministries 