Prosperity gospel, the wrong motivation?

Philip_B

Bread is Blessed & Broken Wine is Blessed & Poured
Supporter
Jul 12, 2016
5,382
5,501
72
Swansea, NSW, Australia
Visit site
✟602,036.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
ClementOfAlexandria.jpg
Our age is not the first to wrestle with the relationship of material well being and spiritual wellbeing. The principle thrust of the Gospel is thanksgiving for what we have been given, and the responsibility to use what we have been given well, and for the benefit of all, especially the poor. The purveyors of the prosperity gospel recognise the providence of God, rightly, however miss the notion that God's providence extends beyond and inconsequential to material well being. There is a strong correlation between true happiness and blessing. Anything more than a cursory observation will tell you that you don't have to be rich to be happy, and indeed some materially affluent people are a long way from happy.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Athanasius377
Upvote 0

Pethesedzao

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2018
772
312
66
Bristol
✟17,354.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Single
Why is it that prosperity preachers dont teach us to give out of love rather than material gain? Why is our motivation for giving so that we may receive material blessing rather than for sharing love with others? Is love not our motivation in these churches?
Prosperity Pete emphasises that the loved will give (just the same as heavenly Father does)
 
Upvote 0

Pethesedzao

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2018
772
312
66
Bristol
✟17,354.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Single
Our age is not the first to wrestle with the relationship of material well being and spiritual wellbeing. The principle thrust of the Gospel is thanksgiving for what we have been given, and the responsibility to use what we have been given well, and for the benefit of all, especially the poor. The purveyors of the prosperity gospel recognise the providence of God, rightly, however miss the notion that God's providence extends beyond and inconsequential to material well being. There is a strong correlation between true happiness and blessing. Anything more than a cursory observation will tell you that you don't have to be rich to be happy, and indeed some materially affluent people are a long way from happy.
No such thing as the prosperity gospel.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: RaymondG
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

bèlla

❤️
Supporter
Jan 16, 2019
20,479
17,634
USA
✟933,034.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
In Relationship
Why is it that prosperity preachers dont teach us to give out of love rather than material gain? Why is our motivation for giving so that we may receive material blessing rather than for sharing love with others? Is love not our motivation in these churches?

Because our giving isn't always out of love. Oftentimes we do things for selfish reasons. Much more than we admit. They're honest about their intentions.

A tree can only produce fruit after its kind. Consider you comment. If we loved one another as we're called to do the church would be a different place. We don't love. That's part of the problem.

It is unrealistic to expect unloving people to do things out of love. The flesh is in the way.
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
The gospel is prosperity
Spiritual prosperity yes. Look at the apostle Paul, he thrived in times of being naked and hungry, as well times of abundance. But did Paul make millions of dollars selling his teaching? Did he buy a huge luxurious mansion? No

1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Because our giving isn't always out of love. Oftentimes we do things for selfish reasons. Much more than we admit. They're honest about their intentions.

A tree can only produce fruit after its kind. Consider you comment. If we loved one another as we're called to do the church would be a different place. We don't love. That's part of the problem.

It is unrealistic to expect unloving people to do things out of love. The flesh is in the way.
I expect nothing but a discussion.
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Its because they are hirelings and not true Pastors. They want that offering plate to be full so the percentage they get will be larger.
Could be true for some, but others might actually just be ignorant.
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I suppose great gain means great prosperity. And Paul preaches this prosperity >

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (in 1 Timothy 4:8)
 
  • Agree
Reactions: aiki
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I suppose great gain means great prosperity. And Paul preaches this prosperity >

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (in 1 Timothy 4:8)
But godliness is not about financial gain, as Paul said, so what gain is he referring to? Also, the prosperity doctrine doesnt seem to be about financial contentment but rather financial gain.
 
Upvote 0