Prosperty Peachers Produce Puke
Posted on December 29th, 2007 by Reformed Pope into the Christian Pop Culture category(and they love alliteration)
I've been thinking about Former's comments and I wanted to share a couple of thoughts. People that attend these "prosperity churches" have a few things beat into their head over and over and over again until they take it in as gospel. There is no balance of teaching. While I was at CBC I had all the same lines down:
"Some people have a Poverty Mentality that keeps them from receiving the blessings of God. If you don't want to be blessed that's your decision, but I am believing in the promises of God."
"Jesus spent more time talking about money than any other subject…even more than Heaven and Hell."
I feel bad for people who are stuck in this mindset, people that trust their pastors so much that they believe all the junk comes from the pulpit…without bothering to research things for themselves. Fortunately, the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is obvious for anyone willing to study the Bible for themselves (and by study, I don't mean look up the word ‘blessing' in a concordance and read all the relating scriptures). But "Prosperity Artists" don't seem to care what the Bible says; they only want to focus on the "positive sides". Week after week they drill you with the same garbage. City Bible Church spends an average of 1 in every 4 sermons teaching on giving the church money. Most of the rest of the messages are about other ways to "get God to bless or honor you". Can anyone deny how self-centered this doctrine is? I listen to sermons by these guys and I want to scream out "being a Christian ISN'T about what God can do for you! It should be about what you can do for God" But No, week after week, the same focus on self.
Should this be the main focus of a Christian's life? Should this be what we spend Sunday after Sunday learning? Is there a precedent set in the Bible that tells us to live our life looking for Personal Prosperity…even if our end goal is to use it to bless others?
Jesus may have spent more time teaching about money than any other subject, but the majority of His teachings were warnings of the danger of money. And when I hear people say "I want to be blessed so I can be a blessing" or "You can't give what you don't have" I cringe because it's obvious that they have it backward. Money isn't bad, it's the LOVE of money that gets people in trouble…and yet Prosperity Teachers say that you NEED money to help others. Why? If the end goal really is to help others (which I believe is Biblical) then just do it.
I like all the formula talk lately, so here's another. Prosperity Teacher's have this equation:
Christian + God's Blessing = Financial Prosperity = Helping others.
That formula just doesn't work…there is an extra = sign that shouldn't be there. Go ahead and take one out and you either end up with a LOVE of money:
Christian + God's Blessing = Financial Prosperity
or you get the formula the way God set it up:
Christian + God's Blessing = Helping Others
God's "Blessing" can be many things (which may include money, btw), but the only guaranteed blessing is Eternal Life. And quite frankly, that should be all you need to help others. Those of you who say "I can't give what I don't have" let me ask you this:
What one thing are you missing from your life that keeps you from giving to others? What is it that God is withholding from you that prevents you from being a blessing to others? Honestly, say your answer out loud…write it down on this blog…what is it? What do you need?
We live in a very "blessed" nation, what are you lacking? What is keeping you from spending 1 night a week in a soup kitchen? What keeps you from going to the Children's hospital to read books to the sick? Why can't you go mow your old neighbor's lawn?
Any doctrine that says "you can't help others until you help yourself is clearly selfish…and I just don't see Jesus Christ as setting a self serving example. Instead He gave up everything.
There is always someone who has a bigger need than you do…quit waiting for a magical blessing from God and go out and help them…then you will see the true "blessings" God has in store for your life. One thing we all can give is time…I don't care who you are, if you prioritize your life according to God's Word, then you would have time to "bless others"…and that is the best thing you can give.
Giving money is easy…and not all that effective…try giving your time to someone in need and see what God does.
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December 30th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Just really excellent points. Especially this one:
Forgive me, pope. I didn’t know ya had it in ya
Every passing year I notice that the main goal of the believer in Jesus — that of mirroring the Life of Christ and bringing glory to God — seems to fade just a bit more. The Jesus/Charismatic Movement of the 60s-70s was, to me, the last true manifestation we’ve had of it.
Doubtless due, in no small part, to the Purpose-Driven/seeker friendly/WOF paradigm shift.
We’ve allowed the mechanics of reaching our goal to become the focus, rather than the attaining of the goal itself.
It seems history has repeated itself in Protestantism, much like the Catholic Church of Middle Ages, with their robes, icons, and Latin liturgies.
-joe
December 30th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
I was the one who said the thing about SPFD and life ruining. Sorry for saying that because now after visiting the church myself multiple times I understand your angle perfectly. Good luck and don’t give up or become discouraged. I would say however that starting a church which practices what you preach rather than blogs about it online would be much more effective and recognized by the community. If enough people pull their heads out of their arses and make churches where honesty and simple, natural self-sacrifice is taking place these prosperity churches will drown out and look so bad because there will be such an abundance of the real thing. People aren’t stupid but they are products of their surroundings. The reason people get so wrapped up in these prosperity churches is really because its whats been around for soooo long. The doctrine may have had its place in a different day but for these times it just doesn’t mesh. Up and coming young kids don’t care about money like the older generations do. We realize that money can’t by happiness because we have seen how the most miserable people on earth are the ones who have the most money (not in all cases but most) remember the song by biggie - mo money mo problems? It’s true. Anyways long story short sorry for that statement and keep doing what you do.
December 30th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I agree! Screaming on the inside was the very reason I could no longer sit in the CBC services. Thank you for being more articulate than “AAAAGGHHHH!” followed by *thump* *thump* (head banging on dome sides).
December 30th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Hello there. I have enjoyed reading your blog, as you address many of the same concerns that I have regarding abusive churches, greed in the pastorate, and such. I also have a blog and have included a link to your blog on my site. I was wondering if you’d be interested in linking to my blog as well. Feel free to read it and judge for yourself if it’s worthwhile. Thanks for your time.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:40 am
—–I feel bad for people who are stuck in this mindset, people that trust their pastors so much that they believe all the junk comes from the pulpit…without bothering to research things for themselves—–
Please, this article is puke.
I have provided scripture after scripture in the http://www.citybusinesschurch.org/blog/2007/12/28/believer-bitter-over-prosperity-doctrine/
Article. The fact that my arguments could make you so mad to start this worthless waist of cyberspace article is really telling. I would usually report something like this as a personal attack but your the moderator so that too would be a waist of cyber space.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to see how all the scriptures you provided harmonize. They just don’t support the prosperity gospel. Your scriptures have produced an better argument to why we should circumcise as Christians than why Christians should look for the blessing of monetary prosperity.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:53 am
Craig:
I will continue our dialog on the other article. This *RANT* needed a rebuttal.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:10 am
Maybe, instead of crying in the corner, you could just use all your God given prosperity to buy this blog from Justin and I…we’ve had it listed for a case of Budlight (one each of course)…then you can moderate whatever you want.:)
Which part…the part where I ask you to give your time to help others or the part where I ask you to study verses other than the ones containing “Blessings”?
And now for a serious question:
Former NBCC person, can you explain to me how the “Prosperity Doctrine” is not self-serving…or…can you show me where Jesus set a self-centered example?
It’s clear to me that I’ve really made you think about your position, which is good. Continue to search in your soul for the truth.
-Reformed Moderator
December 31st, 2007 at 11:01 am
This also would take a lot more work. If you haven’t noticed, we’re kind of lazy. Plus, there’s already plenty of these types of churches in Portland. We’d be happy to refer you to one, if you’re interested.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:04 am
Look. You clearly believe in the prosperity doctrine. We don’t. I’m not sure what you expect to gain by visiting a blog that disagrees with you. You’ve made your point. I think it’s laughable, so that’s that. Let’s move on…
December 31st, 2007 at 6:48 pm
To former NBCC member:
A christlike life speaks for iteself and is not nearly as complicated as you make it out to be. Maybe spend 6 months in the woods and re-evaluate your ideas? Spend time around the general public (by spending time I don’t mean observing I mean getting to know by LISTENING rather than YAPPING)? These are just some suggestions. One step outside your box might help you find a better way. A way that doesn’t need such insane explanations and formulas. A way that speaks for itself. Jesus isn’t a freaking college professor getting ready to give us a test on all the do’s and don’t of christianity this and that’s he is just a chill guy for crying out loud. Be real people and relax with the spiritual mumbo jumbo. You WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW IN THE SPIRITUAL MUMBO JUMBO DEPARTMENT - MASS CONFUSION.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I used to be spiritual for attention too by the way ( seriously not a sarcastic lie).