NOTE: This video was produced by a Bible Teacher called Justin Peters. We believe that Justin Peters did an excellent job with exposing the prosperity gospel movement. However, we cannot fully recommend his other theological material. 

The Prosperity Gospel – Is it Biblical? “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

A verse that is often taken out of context is 2 Corinthians 9:6. This verse, along with many others, has been used by false teachers to rob people of their hard-earned money, so that they can fill their money hungry pockets. In the 21st Century, these people are known as “Prosperity Gospel Preachers.” The question we need to ask is, are these people preaching the truth? Is it Biblical? Is God pleased with the message of the Prosperity Gospel?

Let us examine their teachings, and bring it under the light of Scriptures to see if it holds up to the truth of God’s Word. First, we will look at the what this message is all about by defining it. Then we will look at the deception and damage it brings. Finally, we will learn to give a defence against this false teaching.

First, we begin with the DEFINITION of the prosperity gospel. Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, the gospel of success, or the word faith movement) is a religious belief, that teaches financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one’s material wealth. Prominent leaders of this message include the likes of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar and many more.

One of the major teachings in this movement is called “Positive Confession” which teaches that a Christian with faith can speak into existence anything consistent with the will of God. Positive confession is the practice of saying aloud what you want to happen with the expectation that God will make it a reality.

Word Faith teachers such as Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland have claimed that because God created the universe by speaking, we who are created in the image of God, have the same power to create by our own words. Thus, if they make a “positive confession” of God’s promises, and proclaim it with faith, this available power will make their desires come to fulfilment.

However, we need to notice the DECEPTION of the prosperity gospel. The Prosperity Gospel is very pleasing to the ears of many hearers. People flock into the auditoriums of these conferences with the hope they might find a way to prosperity through material gain. This however, is not a doctrine that can be found in the Bible. These speakers are what the Bible calls “False Teachers” or “False Prophets.” In 2 Peter 2:1-3 the Bible warned that “there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you” and no doubt the warning is for us today. Peter goes onto explain that “many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” Sadly, many today have followed the teachings of this movement, because of their ungodly desire to get rich quick. These false teachers have made merchandise of many by twisting and bringing out of context scripture that seem to promote the prosperity teaching. They have brought great deception to the lives of desperate and gullible people.

In an article by Kenneth Copeland Called “Confessions for Reaping a harvest”, he writes “If you’re believing for a harvest in your life—whether it be healing, finances, family or all three—once you’ve planted seed, your job isn’t over! God has given us a process of seed, time and harvest. During the time between planting and harvesting, it’s important not to neglect that seed……..Once you’ve sown good seed into the spiritual ground, you must “water” your seed daily. How? By speaking the Word of God over it consistently (Positive Confession). You can begin today toward reaping in the Year of Abundant Harvest by speaking these scriptures, taken from the King James Version of the Bible, and confessions, as provided by Jerry Savelle, over your seed.”

Jerry Savelle’s confession for 2 Corinthians 9:6 states “I’m entitled to and I’m expecting a bountiful harvest because I am a bountiful sower.” Thus, they are teaching people, that because they have sowed, they are entitled to an harvest.

One of the biggest reasons why we should be aware of this teaching, is because of the DAMAGE the prosperity gospel causes. As we have seen, the Prosperity Gospel claims to promise wealth and health, but it’s all part of a great game of deception that will only benefit these money hungry wolves. As we have seen from 2 Peter 2, many are going to fall prey to the ways of these false teachers. These poor deceived souls are so convinced of their words, they empty their pockets believing they will reap a mighty harvest.

Benny Hinn in an Article called “Greatest Wealth Transfer” writes “I am going to ask you to do something today that can change your life. My heart is full of faith for you and your family right now. My faith is strong that God will bring you out of the financial pressure you are under and will begin to unleash miracles of abundance, especially in the area of houses and lands. I’m asking you to sow a sacrificial seed-gift into the fertile soil of this worldwide ministry as an act of faith in helping me to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.” He goes onto say “According to Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 9: The believer “who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:9).” Benny Hinn doesn’t stop there! He promises to pray for them “that God will do the mighty and miraculous in your life—that you’ll see the breakthrough you’ve been praying for, especially in the area of property!” But wait, there’s more. He concludes by saying “Are you ready to literally be overtaken by prosperity? He will do it! God is looking for people today whom He can trust with wealth! Join your faith with mine and be obedient in your giving. Then watch for God to send you a powerful overflow of supernatural blessings.”

As you have seen, the message they bring is one of “Skies the limit”, but the Bible teaches in 2 Peter 2:17 they “are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest.”

As Bible believing Christians, we must learn to give a DEFENCE against the prosperity gospel. The best way for anyone to expose false teachings is to compare it with the true message – The Truth that has come from God.

The passage found in 2 Corinthians 9:6 was never given by God, for believers to confess with their mouth so that they can get rich quick. Such a message appeals only to our sinful, selfish nature. Christians are not to love the world or anything in the world (1 John 2:15) and Jesus repeatedly warned that wealth can be dangerous to our souls (Luke 8:14; 12:15; Matt. 19:21-24). The true Christian message is to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ, for you cannot serve both God and money (Matt. 6:24).

The context of why Paul was writing to the Church at Corinth was for the collecting of monies for the poor saints in Jerusalem. He reminds them of their initial willingness to help in this area, but they had not yet come through on their promise. He reminds them, that giving ought not to be given “grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

As mentioned, the illustration given in verse 6 is the passage often twisted to promise wealth and prosperity in abundance. There is however, a truth that is seen in this illustration that we should not run away from. If a believer sows seed bountifully, there will be a bountiful reaping. But it is not in the way the Prosperity Gospel believe. If a believer gives generously to the work of God, God will continue to bless them with provision according to their needs. God does not promise, abundant wealth so that you can live a lavish lifestyle and spend it on self. Money God gives is always to be used for necessary needs, and to be a blessing to other brethren in need.

Paul warned the Ephesian believers that they are not to live covetous lives, and that they should reject anyone who brings a message like this (Ephesians 5:5-7). He warned Timothy in 1 Timothy 1 that he should withdraw himself from anyone that would teach contrary to “words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness” (vs 3), such as those who claim that “that gain is godliness”(vs 5). He reminds Timothy that our attitude and understanding towards money should be “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (vs 6-7). Paul continues to illustrate the importance of being content, by contrasting it with the lives of those who have loved money and pursed after it. He says “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (vs 9-10). Pauls conclusion to this reminder was “But thou, O man of God, flee these things” (vs11), and instead follow after the things of God.

To conclude this article, it would be wise to remember that it was Jesus who said “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Luke 9:58). The Apostle Paul once described himself as “poor” and “having nothing” (2 Cor. 6:10). Remember he wrote that a Christian must flee the desire to get rich (1 Tim. 6:10-11), because greed is idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).