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16.05.2016 Feature Article

The Prosperity Gospel: Is It Tantamount To Materialism?

The Prosperity Gospel: Is It Tantamount To Materialism?
16.05.2016 LISTEN

In this week's edition of the Mirror in the "Faith Corner" column, I read an article "How Do We Measure Success of Church Ministry?" The columnist, however, insinuated that preaching the prosperity gospel is equivalent to materialism. I was therefore compelled to critique this contentious and delicate belief in a Bible-based, logical and objective manner. As Christians, we strongly believe that we have been blessed with a life of divine prosperity, peace and joy.

Yet there are several tribulations we are bound to encounter for Christ's sake. But apostles of the prosperity gospel place a premium on the pursuit of prosperity with little regard for the inevitable trials. So other people have opined that there are endless lies with the prosperity gospel, and it results in misplaced hope, skewed reality and wishful thinking.

Yes, the prosperity gospel has been embedded in contemporary church ministry. Some notable proponents of the prosperity gospel include Joel Osteen, David Oyedepo, T. D. Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Chris Oyakhilome, Mensa Otabil, and the like. These televangelists declare that Christendom must reflect God-inspired prosperity to the full. Stated differently, Christians ought to claim and pursue wealth in their everyday lives. Adding that, it is the bona fide right of Christians through the Abrahamic blessing in Christ, Jesus bore our poverty so that we might become rich, and other scriptural reasons. In fact, believers are entitled to follow the path to financial success, but not with sheer avarice. That's all!

However, I have a few concerns which can prove that the prosperity gospel has evasions, half-truths and inconsistencies. Colossians 3:2 admonishes Christians, saying, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." And Jesus reminded his followers that they are in the world but not from the world. Also, the love of money, when taken to extremes, will corrupt the minds and ways of Christians to unjustly acquire wealth. This is the fundamentally accurate interpretation of 1 Timothy 6:10! Surprisingly, most preachers of the prosperity gospel flamboyantly demonstrate cupidity at the expense of their poor congregation. No wonder Ghanaian gospel artist, Koda, satirically sang that, "...the sheep is being slain for the shepherd..."

Moreover, "Accepting Christ is not a ticket to a pain-free life. And a type of theology that doesn't embrace the reality of pain and suffering is downright egregious," Eric Demeter wrote. Well, to be highly realistic, "There is no virtue in poverty. It is a mental disease that should be abolished from the face of the earth," according to Wallace D. Wattles, emphasising that, "No one is destined to be poor. Wealth is all around us, and all we need do to achieve it is to seek and follow the road that will lead us there." After all, "If you acquire wealth unjustly from others, then you are misusing your forces; but if your wealth comes through the right sources, you will be blessed," Theron Q. Dumont advised. Therefore, deduce from the above arguments to check if the prosperity gospel is tantamount to materialism or not.

Source: sirarticle.blogspot.com

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