Over the next two days I am going to touch on two subjects. The first is the prosperity preaching of the Gospel. The second will be the falling and failings of Christians. Today it will be on the false narrative of the Prosperity gospel. But you may ask why these two subjects. That is a good question. Both of these issues have a great detriment to the body of Christ and the world as a whole. So today, let us look at the Prosperity gospel, some of those that preach it, and the consequences. And yes, the followers of these ‘preachers’ if they see this, will be out for my head. So be it.

The whole of the prosperity gospel is this,  with enough faith, life will be wine and roses. You will have more finances than you can imagine, never be sick, etc, etc. There are two main texts taken from Scripture that they use to support their position on prosperity and health through faith. We will look at these and see the true meaning behind the texts.

1. 2 Corinthians 8:9 Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. The real meaning of this verse is not that Christ became destitute in finances or position so through his death we will have finances and position. What is meant by Paul is simply this, Christ took a position of humanity (leaving behind his heavenly throne and the position of which he belonged) so that as humanity (wretched and poor in sin) could obtain the richness of heaven.
2. Isaiah 53:5 The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his woulds we are healed. This is one of the many verses used to promote the idea that faith will bring full healing and no longer will you be sick or without bodily or mental issue. This verse speaks of spiritual healing and the ability to obtain heaven through the price paid at the cross. Nothing more, nothing less.

To prove the responsible preaching of these two verses, let us look at those whole believe both and see where they stand. I will say this first and foremost, I DO BELIEVE that God in the name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit does still help financially and with healing. But not to the abundance promoted by charlatans and wolves (Matthew 7:15) that pretend to be prophets and preachers.  I have written already about healing that I have seen in my own family and I know that people and churches have had amounts needed coming through grace. That doesn’t mean that faith is a cure all for every ill and financial issue. Remember that even the devil can produce results to lead folks astray.

Financial: There is a woman who lives not far from here that is a devout follower of Kenneth Copeland (the richest prosperity pastor of the group)  She send money faithfully. So if the prosperity gospel was real, she should be more than well to do. Yes, she owns some rentals. BUT, those properties are in need of refurbishment and repair. Her own home is falling apart and she has issues cover bills and maintenance costs. Guess her faith isn’t as prominent as her faith seeds.

Health: Benny Hinn is probably the best known faith healer today. After all, he has millions of faithful that plant financial seed and seek his ‘healing’ ability. I mean. Who else can wave a coat and knock a hundred people out in the spirit at the same time (never heard one time that Jesus or the Apostles did such a thing). Let’s look at one healing of Benny Hinn where the person must not have had enough faith. William Vandenkolk is legally blind. At 9 years old he went to Benny Hinn at a healing service. Benny Hinn told him his faith had healed him and all would be fine. By the end of that evening, he still couldn’t see and remains legally blind to this day. Christ gave a warning to preachers and prophets that gave a child a false belief, Matthew 18:6 If anyone cause one of these little ones, those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

All of that being pointed out, I’ll share two verses that dismantle the entirety of the Prosperity gospel.

1. Luke 10::1-4After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.This speaks of very few preaching the true gospel and that wealth is not to be had by and pastor or follower. We are told this in the gospels through the story of the prince that asked what he needed to do (the camel through the eye of a needle story) and being care for by god (the birds and flowers story).
2. 1 Timothy 5:22-23 Do not be hasty in the j laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but  use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)Paul had been shown to be able to heal others. But here, he says not to be quick to lay on hands (the description of divine healing) but instead to use medicine of a type. This does not mean that divine healing does not occur. It does. However, miracle healing is not always the answer. One must remember that modern medicine (like ancient medicine) and doctors (like Luke) are granted knowledge to be able to aid others in medical needs.

I am going to showcase both the financial results of Prosperity preachers Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.

Kenneth Copeland is the richest Prosperity preacher in the world. He is worth a cozy 300 million dollars. Yes he is an author and owns cattle ranches and oil properties. And I’m sure invests well. He also owns multiple jets and homes. The place he resides is worth an estimated 6.3 million dollars. How is this wealth protected from income taxes? It is all under the heading of his ministry. So he bilks millions from his followers in ‘faith seed’ and lines his own financial coffers. Here is a link to an investigation into Kenneth Copeland and his ministries by the Senate Finance Committee a little over a decade ago. https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/EMIC%20Copeland%2001-5-11.pdf

Benny (Benedictus) Hinn is another top elite in the prosperity gospel arena. He is ranked 4th in the top 10 richest preachers list. His wealth is reported at around 60 million dollars. He too has been investigated by the Senate Finance Committee. It has been noted in video proof, that Mr. Hinn also had questionable get togethers at his home over the years. https://youtu.be/bmGwCJABTR0 

Many of these Prosperity ‘preachers’ have been investigated and found wanting. This is a perfect example of ‘let the buyer (faith seed giver) beware.