The prosperity gospel, with its appealing promises of health and wealth, draws many adherents. However, a significant concern for biblical scholars and church leaders is its distinctive method of interpreting Scripture. Rather than a holistic and contextual reading, the prosperity gospel frequently relies on a selective interpretation of Scripture, often extracting verses from their intended meaning to support its central claims.
The prosperity gospel operates under what has been termed a “new hermeneutical principle” (Hermeneutics means the method or science of interpreting Scripture). This principle is characterized by a belief that every believer inherently “should be healthy, rich, happy and prosperous.” This interpretive lens, rather than considering the message of the entire Scripture, isolates specific verses, recontextualizing them to fit a preconceived narrative of material blessing.
To maintain its “health and wealth” narrative, the prosperity gospel often overlooks significant portions of biblical teaching, leading to a distorted view of Christian life. Some key areas are discussed below:
Suffering and Sacrifice: The Bible is replete with examples of faithful individuals enduring hardship, persecution, and even poverty. Jesus Himself taught that following Him would involve taking up one’s cross daily (Luke 9:23). The Apostle Paul spoke openly of his sufferings for the Gospel, understanding them as integral to his walk with Christ (2 Corinthians 1:4-5). However, the prosperity gospel insists that suffering is primarily a result of a lack of faith, which directly contradicts this pervasive biblical theme. The apostles, certain that the new believers would suffer, admonished, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
Warnings Against Materialism: Scripture unequivocally warns against the dangers of loving money and pursuing worldly riches. 1 Timothy 6:10 states, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to be rich, have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” Jesus Himself declared, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). These clear instructions are often ignored or minimized within prosperity teachings to align with the pursuit of wealth. This selective interpretation conveniently sidesteps the consistent biblical admonition against avarice, instead promoting an ethos where affluence becomes a signifier of spiritual righteousness.
Holistic Context of Wealth and Poverty: Understanding biblical references to wealth and poverty requires careful attention to their specific cultural and historical contexts. The New Testament’s teachings on generosity, caring for the poor (Matthew 26:8-9), and the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom provide a counter-narrative to an exclusive focus on personal financial accumulation. For example, John the Baptist taught those who repented to share their possessions, stating, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:11). Jesus also taught us to pray for our basic needs, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), emphasizing reliance on God for sustenance rather than accumulation.
Discipleship and Contentment: The call to discipleship often involves sacrifice and a focus on serving others, not personal gain. Contentment with what God provides, regardless of abundance or scarcity, is a hallmark of biblical faith. Jesus explicitly warns against greed, stating, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Similarly, Paul cautions in 1 Timothy 6:9 that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” These scriptural warnings emphasize that the pursuit of material wealth can actively impede spiritual growth and distract believers from their ultimate calling.
When interpreting Scripture, it is crucial to avoid selective reading. A robust biblical hermeneutic considers the whole message of the Bible, understanding verses within their historical, literary, and theological contexts. This approach allows for a more accurate and profound grasp of God’s character and His will for our lives, one that embraces the full spectrum of Christian experience—joy and sorrow, blessing and challenge, and faith and work. This contrasts sharply with the prosperity gospel’s hermeneutic, which often cherry-picks verses to support a predetermined narrative of material prosperity, thereby neglecting broader scriptural themes.
By returning to a balanced and comprehensive study of the Bible (using appropriate hermeneutical principles), we can discern the true riches of the Gospel: spiritual transformation, eternal hope, and an intimate relationship with a God who is sovereign, loving, and just, rather than merely a dispenser of material goods. May God help us to gain a right understanding of His Word! God bless!