Comments on: John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel

By: Felicity Sharon Gibson

Felicity Sharon Gibson — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:07:54 +0000

Please could you send a email address to me. I want to make known our testimony of diabolical extortion of our innocence with an evil master manipulation plan in false prosperity churches

By: Student

Student — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:31:42 +0000

I am a recovering prosperity theology adherent and I have struggled with this for many years. Although I do not like John Piper’s approach concerning this matter I do agree with the basic tenets of what he is saying. 1 Timothy 6:3-11 is the most convincing argument I have found against prosperity theology and it will serve you well to study this passage of Scripture. It says, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, WHO HAVE BEEN ROBBED OF THE TRUTH AND WHO THINK THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS TO FINANCIAL GAIN. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
I have seen the destructiveness of prosperity theology first hand. Many people I know are now confused and disenchanted with Christianity because what the pastor is telling them is not lining up with their circumstances. Many people I know who have tithed “generously”, given of their time and talents and sincerely believed this New Age Panacea message have lost their jobs, lost their homes, developed sicknesses, experienced the loss of spouses and children and to what end? This “gospel” promised them abundance if only they followed a specific course of action.
I have heard all the arguments for prosperity theology and all the arguments are based on real bad exegesis of Scripture and infantile hermeneutics and superficial assumptions of a fraction of certain scriptures without considering the entire panoply of Scripture. Prosperity theology is a blight on Christendom.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

By: matt

matt — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:44:28 +0000

dude John the Baptist got his head cut off. Did he not have faith? the bible says that there wasent a greater man than him. Hebrews says some where sawed in half for their faith…according to history all the disciples where martyred except John…..In the Gospel we get God…nothing more is needed

By: Leah

Leah — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:18:40 +0000

I have long been troubled over this issue!

The Bible speaks to the rich and the poor. God is not for or against riches (except when you love money) but wants us to be rich unto Him. The problem is that we are majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors.

Paul had something to say that helps us understand this issue.
Phi;ippians 4
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Paul experienced both and learned contentment and we to should come to this true balance.
prosperity is not a gospel it is just a spin off of Seeking First Gods Kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you.
Jesus said that.
Kingdom seeking and rightousness is what we should be thinking and doing not preaching prosper or don’t prosper.
Preach Christ crucified.
PREACH CHRIST !!!!!!
And be content in each and every situation when you are rich poor and every thing in between. Christ is the Center not our comfort.

Listen to Paul and maybe put our leaders into this

Philippians 4
2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Philippians 3
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul was a very religouse man but He counted it all rubish.
Even if prosperity is true it would be nothing compared to knowing Christ. He is the true riches. In heaven what we call riches is cement.
Gold !!! The streets of Gold!
Laodicia thought she was rich and in need of nothing. Could this be us?
Think about it
God Bless

By: Sidney Davy

Sidney Davy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:55:32 +0000

When God’s children do not prosper, they do not witness effectively, they witness for less time, they are unable to create a Heaven like culture here on Earth. Which is the poor being fed, the naked being clothed, love abounding(forgiveness patience so on and so forth) Zoe is a God like life, and this life in abundance, poverty? I think not! Everyone driving Rolls Royces, that’s up to you personally, as long as the Kingdom is your priority. Your rolls or your diamonds, don’t determine your financial prosperity.We can go back to the rich young ruler, his riches were not the Lord’s, and their are many who are rich but not rich from Kingdom living, rather rich from world living, do not be deceived and do not be concerned, remember to never covet.

God wishes that you will submit to Him in every aspect, and once you lose your life(submit it to him completely), He will give you life, a life in abundance. You see God wants to know that every aspect of your life is in submission to God’s authority, family, money, relationships, recreation, tithes and offering, as well as prayer and fasting. It’s important that you don’t judge a persons prosperity based on the clothes they wear or lifestyle they live.

Rich people wear nice clothes, so do some poor people, and vica versa. Lets never get it twisted, poverty is by no means what God has for His children, but many are ignorant to the word, that doesn’t mean their going to Hell, it just means their silly, their not grabbing their inheritance. Prosperity is based on following God’s will in its entirety, then He will give you riches and honor for your household, once you take care of Kingdom business, if you want to shop at Barneys or Target that is up to you, one is not better then the other!

Believe that children of God drive Bentley’s, and some drive Toyota’s, this a personal choice, based on what they prefer. God’s will is that every single person has wealth and riches in their home, so they can effectively do His will, but their clothes and homes do not determine their prosperity. Some choose to live a very quiet life, whilst some choose to live a not so quiet life. God is not interested in their outward appearance, but rather their hearts and stewardship, and faithfulness to His Kingdom. Its a misconception with prosperity that you’ll be dripping in diamonds, with everything designer, this is not true. What you wear and what you drive is based off your own personal preference, children of God shouldn’t worry on these things.

Claim your covenant prosperity, enjoy freedom from the grips of debt and financial distress, which is bondage. It is God’s will that you free yourself from all kinds of bondage, only then will you effectively witness. What you wear does not determine your prosperity, but for all who do His will and understand His word, He will prosper them .

One should not seek prosperity to fill His house with spoils, a bunch of luxury automobiles, a bunch of jewelery, that is the road to many hurts. Don’t be eager to be anything, but seek God’s Kingdom first, and His promises have been allocated to His Kingdom Kids. So start seeking God’s Kingdom, and remember he is just o fulfill His word, He desires you live the abundant life he created for you. Get familiar with God’s scriptures on your life He intended for you.

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:51:57 +0000

First of all I wish more believers would dialogue about this important issue. I have studied the prosperity gospel for many years and it has sickened me to no end. I have a number of friends who are deceived by this gospel and my heart breaks for them. It is a perversion of truth and is no gospel at all…”But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” Gal. 1:8
Let me take this a step farther. We are in danger anytime we use the gospel as a solution for issues such as finances, political postering, building better marriages, parenting, career issues, etc. The primary focus of the gospel is not to make you a better American with a nice family and a stable career. The heart of the gospel is to reconcile sinful man to a Holy God!!! Christianity in this land is starting to look a lot like the American Dream instead of the Biblical Jesus. Christians in this land are becoming known more for their political stand and the size of their bank account than they are for their love for one another. It is time that we get back to true Biblical discipleship and purge ourselves of anything that takes our focus off of the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes the “good” things this life has to offer us. If we continue on this path, we will eventually become “good for nothing.” Don’t take my word for it, read Luke 14:15-35.

By: Weston

Weston — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:06:23 +0000

Jesus did not mean he would give us life more abundantly in a sense of material possessions. He promises us satisfaction in Him. God’s “best” for our lives, is not related to our financial situation at all. This is a message western culture has taught us. God wants us to be “happy”, and therefore he would obviously want us to be wealthy. Not so.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:58:19 +0000

There is a little abuse in almost everything. The enemy’s main job is to steal, kill,and destroy. Jesus said that he comes to give life and life more abundantly. Some leaders have not used the prosperity message to promote the things of God, but for the promotion of themselves and their pockets. Some,on the other hand have honestly tried to explain to people that it is not glorifying God to live in poverty. We do understand that everyone will not be rich and overflowing with material things. The kingdome of heaven is not defined by material possessions. Some people are in poverty because of their ignorance. Some are in poverty because they simply don’t know that that is not God’s best for their lives. That is why people need to read the word of God for themselves and study to show themselves approved approved unto God. a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

By: David

David — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:10:05 +0000

The prosperity gospel SADDENS me!!!

That Jesus, the greatest treasure of my life, has been replace by a BMW!

Say it is not so!

(it brings tears to my eyes…)

How does the prosperity gospel fit in with these words by Isaac Watts?

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:07:31 +0000

Woe to the rich, Christ