Have the Promises of Wealth Come True?

In 2005 I wrote a blog that confronted the actions of a speaker whose sermon was underpinned by the claims of prosperity doctrine. The reaction to this blog was immediate and somewhat robust but conveyed little constructive dialogue that refuted what I said. However, eight years have now passed so we might examine the promises of this sermon, and see if what was said came true, based on Deut18:22, “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.” Paul instructed the Church to judge itself (1 Cor 5:12) and I believe prophetic statements, implied suggestions or prophetic teaching needs to be held accountable. However, prophecy is rarely subjected to the scrutiny of time. It’s adolescent to justify unrealized prophecy based on having an unlimited period to come true, how convenient? The implication of this approach has raised numerous concerns and brought the prophetic gift into disrepute. The question is; have the promises of wealth come true for those who preach prosperity doctrine?

For the most part, I believe most of those who convey prosperity doctrine are uninformed, even when stated with genuine sincerity. In reality, it never seems to produce the financial rewards it purports to deliver, why? Because it’s a false doctrine, with no solid foundation on which to teach it. Essentially it misrepresents biblical teaching about blessing. This example demonstrates the dilemma of false prophecy, where those concerned are still in the same financial situation eight years later, despite their acceptance of the teaching. Further, if a tenfold financial return for tithing to a Church was indeed a biblical imperative, the prosperity and wealth of all Christians and Churches should be clear to see.

Prosperity teaching is subtle because it smudges the line between the goodness of God and a lie based on the Old Testament application of sin and punishment. The idea is that the key to financial wealth and prosperity lies in the amount a person tithes to the Church. It suggests the more money one tithes; the greater the financial blessing one receives from God. This is usually defined as the “tenfold blessing”, which amounts to ten times the amount tithed. Those who teach this can sometimes claim that anyone who doesn’t tithe or give at least 10% of their gross income to the Church is under the curse of the devil. Many Christians claim not to teach or even agree with the prosperity teaching but agree in practice because they embrace those who do. God’s blessing is specifically linked with teaching about the tithe, and the finances of the Church. Those concerned stand firm on the obligation to tithe and 10% is regarded as a minimum biblical requirement. The full extent of the biblical tithe is conveniently ignored, and what is taught is subjectively construed to suit the current needs. Old Testament legalism has no place in a New Testament Church!! (Refer to an earlier post on “the tithe”) The word “tithe” should never be used to generate income by the Church because the implications of the word are opposed to free giving under grace.

I would suggest to anyone considering the subject to carefully examine the New Testament evidence for "giving" and the OT specifics for "tithing" for yourselves. Christians should never be influenced by theatrics and empty promises. The implications of this teaching should be of some concern, insomuch as adherence to legalism and false doctrine has implications for those who knowingly embrace them. Prosperity teaching has the potential to seriously damage individuals in the body of Christ, especially the poor. Those who teach this doctrine can be very dramatic and articulate, in the way they preamble the benefits of the doctrine, with the effect that they lead people down a path of guilt, emotional propaganda, and corporate deceit. This teaching can potentially end in financial despair and spiritual disillusionment if taken to its literal extreme.

Those preaching on this subject have little biblical evidence to relate blessing with financial return. They rely on ignorance, the projection of guilt, and the promise of monetary reward. Some more common tropes from Proponents are that they “hold the keys to financial wealth”, and they are “the transferor of the blessing”. All we have to do is tithe to the Church, starting with the offering that conveniently follows the preaching. Ironically this tithe is sometimes used as a donation to pay the person preaching on the subject. After this, everyone comes to the front of the church and the blessing is transferred. The corporate spiritual hysteria at this point, is such that who would be seen to remain in their seats?

In conclusion, This is a general summary of prosperity teaching, it might surface in various forms. As already stated: “let them be judged by whether or not what they say, comes true”. Over the last eight years, I’ve observed the fruit of this teaching and nothing appears to have changed. Nothing here suggests an abundance of wealth from a great outpouring of blessing. It could be argued the opposite is true. While this may appear somewhat cynical, Christians have an on-going responsibility to judge the fruit of our actions, and honestly confront teaching that fails to produce what it claims to prophesy.