Aug 17 2009
Should Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich?

[NY Times]
Onstage before thousands of believers weighed down by debt and economic insecurity, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their all-star lineup of “prosperity gospel” preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God. Private airplanes and boats. A motorcycle sent by an anonymous supporter. Vacations in Hawaii and cruises in Alaska. Designer handbags. A ring of emeralds and diamonds.
“God knows where the money is, and he knows how to get the money to you,” preached Mrs. Copeland, dressed in a crisp pants ensemble like those worn by C.E.O.’s.
Even in an economic downturn, preachers in the “prosperity gospel” movement are drawing sizable, adoring audiences. Their message — that if you have sufficient faith in God and the Bible and donate generously, God will multiply your offerings a hundredfold — is reassuring to many in hard times.
The preachers barely acknowledged the recession, though they did say it was no excuse to curtail giving. “Fear will make you stingy,” Mr. Copeland said.
Read more here.
[From me]
Where in the Bible does God promise us earthly wealth? This kind of teaching give $$ to one group of people–the health and wealth preachers. Are we to give to God? Yes, but not so we can get rich. We give because God commanded us to give and we give out of gratitude for what he has given us.
I guess according to the Health and Wealth Prosperity teachers, I must be living a sinful life. I’m making a LOT less $$ than I have in a long time. I can’t sell a house in another state. So, if I go give a wad of $$ Kenneth and Gloria will all my financial problems go away? How do they explain all of the people around the world who have so much less than I have. Lots of people here in the US are suffering today. Many are followers of Jesus Christ and they haven’t done anything sinful, we just live in trying times. I am blessed not because of the money I have but because I have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I will continue to give to GOD but never to get anything in return. These people are preying on vulnerable people and should be ashamed of themselves. But I guess they can take their shame to the bank.
What do you think?


