Also called the Gospel of Prosperity, this teaching is embraced by cults and Christian denominations alike. I heard an elder in the church one day proclaim that anyone struggling financially or doesn’t have a job is proof that they don’t have God’s blessings. This contradicts David's words:
I was envious of the arrogant, as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind. NAS (Psa 73:3-5)
This bogus belief says that what a person owns is a measure of God’s blessing. The bigger the home and number of cars in the garage, the more blessings you have from God. On the other hand, the less you have, it’s also proof that God is not blessing you.
Although there is nothing wrong with riches, there is plenty wrong with the love of wealth. (1 Tim 6:10) Material goods are indeed a blessing from God, but they are not an indicator of those blessings.
The bible says, God “will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy He will save.” (Psa 72:13) In fact, anyone “who mocks the poor taunts his Maker.” (Prov 17:5) This doesn’t sound like God is on the side of the prosperous. Those who want to deny these truths "because they're from the Old Testament," might do well to remember a New Testament verse:
The Gospel of Prosperity is upheld primarily by materialistic individuals who have big homes, lots of toys, and healthy bank accounts. Such a teaching assuages their conscience.
