One of the most bizarre doctrines that's crept into the church over the past 60 years is the Prosperity Gospel. What does it teach? It teaches that Christians can use their faith as a tool to acquire vast wealth and material prosperity.
Where does the prosperity gospel come from? It certainly didn't come from Jesus Christ. It certainly can't be found anywhere in the Bible. Rather, it's a perversion of scripture that takes some of Christ's teachings concerning the will of God out of context.
For the record, here's one of those teachings: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14)
Jesus was speaking about God's will that desires everyone come to salvation in Him through their faith in His death on the cross for their sins and His resurrection from the dead.
The apostle Paul said it aptly: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." (1 Timothy 2:1-5)
That's the will of God. And that's what He wants us to ask Him for in prayer. Nowhere does scripture teach us that we can convince God to give us whatever material things our selfish hearts desire by having faith in our own faith.
The prosperity gospel is also known as the Word of Faith Movement. Among its proponents are celebrity evangelists such as Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Fred K.C. Price and Joel Osteen.
Although the prosperity gospel movement emerged in recent times with the heretical teachings of an evangelist named Kenneth Hagin, it has ancient pagan roots: "The Word of Faith (WF) movement emerged within Charismatic/Pentecostal Christianity in the latter 20th century. The Word of Faith movement as a whole has no formal organization or authoritarian hierarchy, though the movement does have a number of high-profile teachers who heavily influence Word of Faith theology. Its basic theology is a peculiar mix of orthodox Christianity and mysticism." gospeloutreach.net
Though Hagin is considered the founder of the prosperity movement, it was actually started by two men in the 19th century: "Kenneth Hagin is often referred to as the father of the Word of Faith movement, but in reality it was Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-1866) who laid the foundations. It was Quimby's metaphysical teachings that influenced E.W. Kenyon, and it was E.W. Kenyon's teachings that in turn influenced Kenneth Hagin. Most prominent Word of Faith teachers today draw their inspiration from Kenneth Hagin."
http://www.gospeloutreach.net/whatwordfaith
The prosperity gospel is nothing but religious (Christian) science or witchcraft camouflaged in Christian terminology. It doesn't work and it brings harsh judgment in the form of curses upon those who practice it.
More from gospeloutreach.net: "The 'force' of faith, an unbiblical view of faith, is the foundation of Word of Faith theology. Proponents believe they can use words to manipulate the faith-force, and thus actually create what they believe Scripture promises (health, wealth, etc.). Laws supposedly governing the faith-force are said to operate independently of God's sovereign will -- God Himself being subject to the 'laws' of faith."
What does the Bible actually teach us concerning money and wealth? It warns us not to become enamored of it. More from Paul: "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:3-10)
Concerning false doctrines such as the prosperity gospel, Paul warned us that demonically inspired false teachers would invade the church in the last days with such heresies: "The (Holy) Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)
The prosperity gospel isn't biblical. It isn't Christian. It's a doctrine taught by demons. Compare what the Bible teaches concerning money and wealth with what the prosperity preachers teach.
I think you'll see the difference. And, I think that you'll be shocked.
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