The Prosperity Gospel, or the Health and Wealth Gospel, is the idea that Christians are entitled to physical health and economic prosperity.
Many teachers and promoters of this doctrine have something in common: Pentecostalism. Considering the movement's lack of appreciation for biblical scholarship and its propensity toward ever seeking out the sensational and miraculous, it is no surprise that this error flourished in the fertile soil of Pentecostalism.
How do we refute this error?
While money is a gift from God, the Bible makes it clear that money is not the primary sign of God's blessing. As one progresses through biblical history, the emphasis on spiritual blessings becomes more and more pronounced. In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles warn against the dangers of the "love of money" – the sinful root of the Prosperity Gospel.
One of the chief characteristics of the Prosperity Gospel is the emphasis on "positive confession." They believe that words have creative power and that what you say determines what happens to you. Hence, they like to say, "name it and claim it." Some take this to ridiculous extremes, including having the congregation recite together following the offering that they are believing God for "jobs and better jobs, raises and bonuses … inheritances."
They error in placing the gifts above the giver and not recognizing the sovereignty of God. Rarely do you hear them use the phrase our Lord taught us, "thy will be done." And do such adherents ever read the book of Psalms? Many psalms are laced with complaints, adversities, and cries of desperation—anything but "positive" words.
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Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
