How Do 'Prosperity Gospel'-Preachers Respond to St. Paul's Accusation of Them?

@mythociate (21432)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
October 3, 2012 5:51pm CST
Well, it's an inferred accusation of Prosperity-Gospel preachers (like Kenneth & Gloria & John Copeland, Joel & Victoria Osteen (tho Joel has told the Oklahoma Gazette that he doesn't like the ministry being referred to as 'Prosperity Gospel'), Creflo Dollar & various others). St. Paul tells us that 'lack' (one of Brother Kenneth's least-favorite words) is one of the primary means by which Jesus Christ related Himself to humanity (see below), and--prosperity being the polar-opposite of lack--associating The Gospel with Prosperity would be like ... well ... You could see it as something like 'using cow-patties to clean up after your dog,' but you could also compare it to 'making Satan a central character in your teachings of God' (as many churches do). Am I equating 'Prosperity' & 'Satanism'? Well, Satan is the polar-opposite of God; & St. Paul tells us (of God's Son) in Second Corinthians 8:8-15 "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." I admit, I became a 'partner' of Kenneth Copeland Ministries partly just to get a piece of their media empire (though 'being a partner' means only a little more than 'I say I'll pray for `em & let `em send me free stuff'). But St. Paul is telling us here that we don't want Prosperity, we want Equality (or Equanimity ... is that the word?) I.e. The reason for Prosperity is 'to be able to distribute it!' You remember that the first Christians gave EVERYTHING THEY OWNED to the church (upon which time it was ALL distributed back to the members), and that--when a couple had some wealth they didn't report to the church--God took the quickening Spirit from their flesh! I think a system like that should be brought back! Centered on an alliance between the banks & the churches, everything we own should be 'granted us by the grace of the bank/church's not-taking them.' The way it is now, we are granted wealth according to our works. Under the bank/church, we will be granted wealth according to 'the grace given' (ultimately the Flying Spaghetti Monster's grace, but that's all given to Allah, who gives it all to God, who gives it all to humanity to distribute among themselves ) That's the only solution I can see for Prosperity Gospel-ers to stay in agreement with The Word given to St. Paul. Can you see any other solution? (And how many Prosperity Gospel-ers do you think will actually respond HERE?)
2 people like this
4 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
4 Oct 12
You've got some interesting responses already, but let me throw in my two cents' worth. Those who preach that God will give them everything they desire are being deceived. God does not give us everything we desire because that's neither loving nor kind. If a child wanted nothing but desert at every meal, would he be healthy? If a Christian wanted nothing but money and goods, does that make him spiritually healthy? Yet to deny a child desert all the time is not good, either. Our Father is wise beyond our understanding. Prosperity preachers are wanting desert only without the meat and vegetables. Paul also said that he had learned to be content whether full or hungry: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11-12) I think that neither poverty nor riches has anything to do with one's standing in Christ, except as the way we view them. Some people cannot handle riches because they become selfish and greedy and never think of those less fortunate. Others cannot handle poverty because they turn to stealing and other crimes to support themselves.
1 person likes this
@leeandrew (1225)
• Philippines
4 Oct 12
I was told by my pastor before when I was in Bible seminar with him that to study a verse or a book in the bible should always look on the context of the story, the history, setting and audience of the story to know what the author is pertaining about. Actually in today's time where hardship or poorness is abundant prosperity preachers helps a lot to encourage people to come to know Jesus as an abundant God, giver and provider. No one could actually accused anybody co's only God knows what is happening in the person's heart and only God can judge him/her. God bless you my friend.
@urbandekay (18278)
19 Oct 12
Wolves in sheep's clothing all the best, urban
• United States
4 Oct 12
I have questions. Are you saying a true Christian Must Always be poor? They Must give Everything to their church or they are with Satan? Good luck trying to get Americans to follow that. Good luck to get the preachers you mention to change their ways. I agree selling salvation like soap is wrong.But so is saying the only way to get to heaven is by being poor. There are many good, rich people here on this planet. If Jesus doesn't want them then it is so sad. Besides Jesus is not the only path. Rich people don't need to attend a church to be close to their G-d.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
24 Oct 12
That's dangerously heretic. Did you read the quotation from St. Paul? Wasn't it the one about 'what the abundance is for?' See, lots of people mistake 'abundance' for 'prosperity.' But 'prosperity' isn't ALWAYS 'abundant!' Paul said 'abundance' is for the purpose of 'equal distribution.' It's good to have all you need; if you have more than you need (and a steady income to ensure that the 'more than you need' that you have now will ALWAYS BE 'more than you need' ... unlike with me, where there's no sufficient steady income & 'more than I need' slips back into 'what I need' if I don't use it on myself fast), then that 'more' is a hindrance that holds you back from your proper place. 'Being rich' is sinful IF someone else must be poor in order to make you so.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Oct 12
He didn't say , a rich person who Never hurt anyone will still be able to enter. He said No rich person will enter heaven, Period. No exceptions. I took that to mean one could be a nicest person but because they have a lot of money they can't go to heaven.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
25 Oct 12
That was Jesus; what St. Paul said was "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: "But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality" (in short, one should 'get rich,' but should use that wealth to take care of more Christians and not -to be more comfortable than is necessary). Think about it: Do you consider someone who has no connection to money "rich?" Or is one 'rich' only if one is so-connected with money as to define themselves by it? 'Money' then becomes an idol to that person, and they're too busy serving it to do G-d's will.
1 person likes this