The False Teaching of Prosperity Without Discipleship

The False Teaching of Prosperity Without Discipleship

Main Texts: Matthew 6:19–21, 33; 1 Timothy 6:3–10; Mark 8:34–36

Introduction

God is not against His children being blessed.

Scripture contains many examples of people whom God blessed materially.

Abraham was wealthy.

Job had great possessions.

Joseph became influential.

David had great resources.

God can bless His people materially.

The problem begins when material prosperity becomes the center of Christianity.

When Christianity is reduced to:

“Believe in God so that you can become rich, comfortable, successful, and free from problems,”

the Gospel has been distorted.

The Gospel Is Bigger Than Material Blessings

Jesus did not call people merely to become successful.

He called them to become disciples.

He said:

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

The Christian life involves surrender.

Following Jesus may bring blessing.

It may also involve sacrifice.

It may involve persecution.

It may involve waiting.

It may involve difficulty.

It may involve obedience when there is no immediate reward.

The Danger of Making Money the Evidence of God’s Favor

One dangerous idea is:

“If someone is wealthy, God must be pleased with them.”

But Scripture does not teach that.

Some righteous people in the Bible suffered greatly.

Some faithful believers lived with very little.

Jesus Himself lived simply.

Paul experienced both abundance and hardship.

Therefore, wealth cannot be the ultimate measure of spiritual success.

What Is True Biblical Prosperity?

Biblical prosperity is much broader than money.

A prosperous Christian may be:

• Rich in faith.
• Rich in love.
• Rich in good works.
• Rich in wisdom.
• Rich in generosity.
• Rich in spiritual fruit.

John 10:10 speaks about abundant life, but abundant life is not simply an abundance of possessions.

It is life found in Christ.

Paul’s Warning About the Love of Money

Paul warned Timothy:

“For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

Notice carefully.

Paul did not say money itself is the root of all evil.

He warned about the love of money.

Money is a tool.

It becomes dangerous when it becomes an idol.

Biblical Illustration: The Rich Young Ruler

The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking about eternal life.

He had wealth.

He had morality.

He had religious knowledge.

Yet Jesus revealed that his possessions had become more important to him than following Christ.

His problem was not simply having wealth.

His problem was that wealth had his heart.

Application

Ask yourself:

• Is Jesus more important to me than money?
• Would I still follow Christ if financial success took longer than expected?
• Do I measure God’s goodness by my possessions?
• Am I generous with what God gives me?

Seek first the Kingdom.

Let possessions remain tools rather than masters.

Shalom!