The False Prosperity Gospel

2 Peter 2:3 ...'And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.'

What is the prosperity gospel? Exactly what it says, it teaches that you NEED prosperity in your material life. It doesn't preach that you need prosperity in your 'spiritual' life, which the Bible teaches, but in your material worldly life. All they are preaching is IDOLATRY, elevating wealth and possessions above God, and elevating created things above the CREATOR. This is 'another' gospel which Paul warned about ... Galatians 1:6 ...'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.'

1 Timothy 6:5-8 ...'Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.'

These preachers of the prosperity gospel are certainly perverting the true gospel of Christ Jesus. But Paul says there isn't another gospel, but only one true gospel of Jesus.

John 10:10 ...'I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' ... Now the false preachers of the prosperity gospel will look at this Bible verse and twist it to their liking. But what did Jesus really mean when He said He came to give life more abundantly? Was He talking about worldly possessions? Well, if you study through the whole council of God, you will see that to be a true Christian in this world you will go through persecution and tribulation (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 1 Thess. 3:4; 1 Peter 4:12), and that you are to use what you have to help the poor. Now does that sound like worldly prosperity and abundance? Of course not. No, Christ was talking about the abundance of His Spirit in your life, giving you peace and joy that no worldly possession can give you. He was also pointing to the abundant life that He will give us in His heavenly kingdom.

Think about this: Did the disciples and apostles receive an abundant life the way the prosperity preachers proclaim? Definately not. They went through great persecution and tribulation for the gospel of Jesus Christ and they were killed for their faith. BUT, their life more abundant is awaiting them in the heavenly kingdom of God.

Prosperity Gospel Preachers

There are four well known prosperity preachers that I want to concentrate on and expose as false teachers. They are, Joel Osteen, Leroy Thompson, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar. Let's look at what these prosperity gospel preachers preach. Please note, the quotes I have below are actual words from these preachers mouths. You can go to youtube and see these preachers say these words below.

Quotes from Creflo Dollar (interesting name hey?)

"Some people come to me and say, well I came here to get some peace, not money, and I tell them, you NEED money otherwise you ain't gunna get no peace."

"Some people say it's about peace, joy and love. NO!! It's about MONEY!"

What does the Word of God say? ... Philippians 4:1,5-7 ... 'Stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' ... The Word of God completely disagrees with this false prosperity gospel preacher, Creflo Dollar.

Proverbs 19:1 ...'Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.'

What else does Creflo say?

"God is trying to put material wealth into your hands."

"I didn't come here to get anything from you, I'm already LOADED!"

Let me again quote what the Word of God said above ... "Let your MODERATION be known unto all men" (Philippians 4:5). Oh, and what is it that God says about money?

"'For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)

Those who covet money have 'erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.' Wow! This is God's truth friend, not what these false preachers of the prosperity gospel are saying.

Quotes from Leroy Thompson

"You can't do nothing on $50,000 a month!"

(Please excuse the poor grammar, I'm just repeating what they say). So according to Leroy Thompson, you need more than $50,000 per month to be able to live properly. And this man calls himself a man of God!!?? It's heartbreaking to hear this kind of evil talk. There are millions of people all over the world who live on about $30 per month and are crying out for food. There are people dying every day because they haven't got enough food. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, DYING EVERY DAY OF STARVATION!! And Leroy Thompson goes and says something like that?! What an abomination that comes out of this mans mouth! God detests what this man stands for and what he preaches. He loves the man, but HATES what he does, and so do I.

"The Lord told me, this is the end time message. He is coming to look for His church without spot or wrinkle. But one of the biggest wrinkles the church has is being BROKE!"

Actually Mr Thompson, the biggest wrinkle the church has is SIN! Take a look at the following from Ephesians which exposes what these prosperity gospel teachers preach. (Leroy Thompson said the above quote to Kenneth Copeland who agreed with him).

Ephesians 5:3-7,27 ...'But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be HOLY and without blemish.'

Where does it say that not having money and possessions is the wrinkle? Nowhere! It is SIN that is the spot and wrinkle. According to the above verse, these prosperity gospel preachers, if they continue down the same path of coveting money, will NOT enter God's Kingdom, but will be thrown into hell fire.

Proverbs 13:7 ...'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'

Kenneth Copeland well known quote

"Money, come to me NOW!"

These false prosperity gospel preachers have replaced the true God of Heaven, with money and possessions. Their god is wealth (mammon). What does the Word of God say about this?

"'No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.' (Matthew 6:24)

Joel Osteen quotes

Let me just say a quick word about Joel Osteen. His church, Lakewood church is the largest church in America. If you hear him speak, he is different to the other prosperity gospel preachers. He is humble and mild mannered. He is even more deceiving than the others, because he seems like such a nice guy. But what does the Bible say? ... 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ...'For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.' ... Joel Osteen is a true "WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING". Satan can transform these preachers into looking like preachers of light. But if he is preaching evil in a nice humble way, does it make it right? No. No matter how he is doing it, it is still evil. This is why we need to study the Bible ourselves, so we are able to discern between a true preacher of God and a false one. When I first heard Joel Osteen preach many years ago, before I really studied the Bible, I thought that he was a good man of God and a good preacher, but now I know the truth from studying God's Word, I know that he is not a man of God. So let's hear what he has to say.

"If you are struggling financially, then you have not got the victory."

So according to Joel, to get the victory, you need money! If you study the Bible, then you will know straight away that this man is a false preacher. What does the Bible say we get the victory through? ... 1 Corinthians 15:57 ...'But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' ... 1 John 5:4 ...'For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.' ... So it is our FAITH in CHIRST JESUS that gives us the victory. And when do we get the victory? ... 1 Corinthians 15:54 ...'So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.' ..... When Jesus returns at the second coming, and we are made immortal, THEN we have the victory.

"God didn't create you to be average or poor."

Luke 6:20 ...'And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.'

James 2:5-7 ...'Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?'

"I'm not going to tell people that they HAVE to have Jesus in their lives to be saved."

John 14:6 ...'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'

These false preachers of the prosperity gospel encourage their listeners to covet wealth. They do not convict people of their sin, instead they just try to make people feel nice about themselves. This is not the gospel of Christ Jesus, and I urge all people to flee from these preachers and their different gospel. But don't just flee from them, EXPOSE them as to what they are and PRAY for them. These prosperity gospel preachers are leading thousands of people astray. Jesus doesn't commend people for GAINING wealth, He commends people for GIVING AWAY their wealth. That's the true Gospel. These prosperity preachers have huge wealth, luxury cars, mansion homes and private planes. Their church buildings cost millions, and yet the poor of the world continue to starve to death! Is this the church of Christ? Not a chance! The prosperity churches are the synagogue of satan.

Philippians 4:8-9 ...'Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.'

Matthew 6:21 ...'For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'

WHERE's YOUR HEART TODAY??

I plead with you to give your all to Jesus and worship Him in spirit and truth and flee from the prosperity gospel.