The Problem With Prosperity Preachers

I'm sure you've all heard them. Whether it's by word-of-mouth, flipping past TBN, or hearing them in megachurches, Prosperity Preachers are out there.

And allow me to be blunt right away.

They are lying to you.

They are wrong.

They are false prophets.

They tell you that you have enough faith, God will give you money, possessions, and arrange circumstances in the way that you want. Sometimes that faith is accompanied by a suggestion to send money to their ministry, which is another problem, and one that the Senate likes to get involved in.

These Prosperity Preachers spout a message of flowers and sunshine, telling you to "live victoriously" and then defining what they think that victory looks like. Their definition. They tell you that God doesn't want us to be uncomfortable (even though Jesus never even had a permanent bed), and that he will take care of you monetarily.

They often flout the last part of John 15:7 which says: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." They leave out the whole remaining in Him.

This magical view of prayer makes us the boss of God.

Let me tell you flat out, your life will NOT become easier the second you become a Christian. In fact, it may get "worse" according to your own definition, but therein lies the problem.

When we define what "victory" and "better" mean, we are going off our own interpretations. Our own ideas. In reality, when we become Christians and pledge to follow Christ, we are forsaking our old selves and the old definition of self we had. We are no longer our own, we are His. We are no longer living for ourselves (what would be our purpose, anyway?), but we are living for Him.

Our purpose is to glorify Him, not to glorify ourselves. When those Prosperity Preachers say that if you have enough faith, all your problems will be solved, they are halfway right.

Your problems will be solved, but they will be solved God's way, and sometimes you may not like that, even though it is best for you in the end.

The Prosperity Preachers apparently missed the following verses. (Note the recurrence of the word "suffering.")

1 Peter 4:12, 13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Romans 8:17, 18

¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ¹⁸I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 5:1-5

¹Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Hebrews 2:10

¹⁰In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

There were dozens more passages talking about suffering, but these prove my point. There is going to be suffering, and what's more, we as Christians should embrace it.

By suffering, we realize our state as sinners. Yes, that's right, that's something you won't hear from Joel Crest Whitening Strips Osteen.

We Are Sinners.

When we suffer, via hard times or persecution or whatever, we are struck with the realization that we are not in control of our own little world. Someone else is, and we don't know what He has in mind.

That's the problem people have with Real Christianity. That's why Osteen and his crew pipe up with the Prosperity Gospel drivel.

We are not in control.

The Matrix can sum up my point about the state of our society and why people like Osteen are so popular. The whole premise, for all three of you who haven't seen/heard about it, is that Neo learns that he can influence the computer program humanity is subjected to living in. He can fly, dodge bullets, and kill without consequence.

This exchange with another character, Morpheus, explains everything.

Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

And there you have it.

He, and most of modern America, doesn't like the idea that he's not in control.

Prosperity Preachers thrive because people love the idea that there's something tangible they can do to better their situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying just sit on your butt and expect God to do all the work. It's a active relationship between God and us. We listen and meditate on His Word, and we follow what He says, either through others, His Word, circumstances, or a "still, small voice."

We don't better our circumstances simply by following a single preacher.

We don't better our circumstances by sending someone money.

We better our circumstances by surrendering.

We better our circumstances by realizing that God is in control, and has what's best in mind for His children.

Romans 8:28

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

On a related note, I'm not convinced Osteen himself is even a Christian. Just watch this video of him on Larry King.