Just the Bible
F a l s e t e a c h i n g s e x p o s e d
Prosperity Gospel
Deuteronomy 14,22-29
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your GOD at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your GOD always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away, 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your GOD will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your GOD and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. 28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites who have no allotment or inheritance of their own and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your GOD may bless you in all the work of your hands.
The Old Testament commandment to tithe, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law, was addressed to the people of Israel. It specifically concerned a person's agricultural produce and was intended as a sacrifice to GOD. Alternatively, for logistical reasons, it was also possible to purchase offerings with money and present them to GOD. Furthermore, it was only prescribed for specific times and was intended primarily to benefit the Levites, who performed the priestly service and who, unlike all other tribes of Israel, did not inherit their own land, as well as people in need (e.g., orphans and widows).
Malachi 3,8-10
8 “Will a mere mortal rob GOD? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Here, too, the term "tithe" refers to the yield of the harvest and not to financial wealth. The blessing mentioned here refers to a bountiful harvest and not to material wealth. The commandment to pay tithes has nothing to do with the modern tradition of paying contributions to the Church and is in no way transferable to it. Particularly reprehensible is the false teaching that answers to prayer, healings of the sick, deliverance from demons, or the breaking of curses depend on the amount of money a person pays to the Church. In truth, GOD's favor and grace cannot be bought.
Psalm 37,4
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The Bible teaches that every person should strive for a godly life. GOD's word provides the foundation for this. Those who love GOD with all their heart and put Him first in their lives will be blessed by GOD. However, those who pursue material possessions demonstrate that they are more important to them than GOD.
Proverbs 3,9
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (...).
This commandment also applies to the people of Israel during the Old Covenant. Here, too, it does not refer to donations to the church, but rather to offerings from their own agricultural produce.
Proverbs 22,4
4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
While blessing from GOD in the old covenant was often measured by wealth and material possessions, the true blessing for believers in the new covenant lies in being able to share in GOD's promises regarding eternal life in GOD's future kingdom. Christians are not to seek earthly prosperity, but rather to live modest and godly lives in humility and fear of GOD. At the same time, they are to use their time to win as many people as possible to Christ so that they, too, can share in GOD's inheritance.
Proverbs 23,4 f.
4 The Bible warns that material wealth can lead to greed. The Holy Scripture describes the pursuit of wealth as vain, meaning useless. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Matthew 6,19-21
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Bible warns us not to seek wealth, as it is uncertain and fleeting. What matters is how much we have, but what we use what we have for. Instead of constantly accumulating more possessions, Jesus calls all people to store up treasures in heaven, i.e., to do good and be there for others. For this is what GOD delights in. This includes sharing our possessions with fellow believers and those in need. GOD wants us to love Him with all our hearts. Because GOD looks into the heart of man, He knows exactly whether there are things in our lives that we love more than GOD. Therefore, every person is called to honestly examine themselves before GOD. For unlike humans, GOD cannot be deceived.
Ecclesiastes 5,10
10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
The Bible warns that material wealth can lead to greed. The Holy Scripture describes the pursuit of wealth as vain, meaning useless.
Ecclesiastes 5,18
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life GOD has given them—for this is their lot.
Wealth is a gift from GOD and an expression of His goodness. At the same time, wealth does not make a person more esteemed or pleasing to GOD. GOD blesses people in very different ways. Therefore, material possessions say nothing at all about a person's faith or relationship with GOD.
Malachi 3,10
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
The blessing spoken of here is a bountiful harvest for GOD's people. It's not specifically about financial wealth. Today, very few Christians own land to cultivate. Applied to the new covenant, this phrase means that believers can count on GOD's unconditional care at every moment of their lives.
Matthew 6,24
24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both GOD and money.
Jesus warns that wealth (Hebrew: "mammon") can become an idol (= substitute "god") for people. Those who set their hearts on their wealth cannot simultaneously serve the true GOD.
Matthew 19,16-26
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’" 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of GOD.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.”
Jesus did not teach that being wealthy is a sin, nor that it is fundamentally impossible for rich people to enter GOD's kingdom. Nor does GOD require every Christian to give away all their possessions in order to follow Jesus. What matters most to GOD is our heart attitude. For a believer, GOD should be above all else. True wealth is not measured by material possessions, but comes from fellowship with GOD, regardless of how much one possesses. After all, GOD is the giver of all good gifts. Even though GOD is kind and loves to give gifts to his children, a gift should never be more important than GOD. This was precisely the problem of the rich young man. GOD had blessed him with many possessions. But although he obeyed GOD's commandments, he did not love GOD with all his heart. In truth, his heart was set on his material possessions. These were more important to him than following Jesus. Jesus' challenge, with which he tested the self-confident young man, made this fact clear.
Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must deny themselves. This means they must be willing to give up everything if it is GOD's will (including their possessions, if necessary). They must not impose conditions or cling to anything. Only then can GOD use them without restriction for His service. On the other hand, for anyone who follows Jesus only half-heartedly or who places anything above GOD, their service has no value before GOD.
Luke 6,38
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This verse isn't a formula for becoming rich, but rather is meant to illustrate that GOD is generous to us humans and therefore expects His children to be generous to others as well. This isn't just about monetary donations, but about good works in general. Those who give from the heart can be confident that GOD will give them enough, so they won't lack anything. The more GOD gives a person, the more they can use what they have received for the benefit of others. However, for those who use GOD's gifts only for themselves, their faith remains fruitless.
Luke 12,15-21
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But GOD said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward GOD.”
The Bible warns emphatically against any kind of greed. Using a parable, Jesus shows that material wealth should never be the foundation of our lives, since our foundation must always and exclusively be GOD. He is the one from whom everything comes and to whom all glory is due. However, those who set their hearts on their wealth can, under certain circumstances, suffer the same fate as the rich farmer in Jesus' parable.
Acts 2,44 f.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Acts 4,32
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
The book of Acts gives us insight into the lives of the early Christians. This life was characterized, among other things, by a charitable community of goods among believers. It states that no member of the congregation claimed his possessions for himself, but that all believers considered all goods to be common property. The apostles acted as administrators, distributing the money according to the personal needs of the saints. None of them had any intention of personal enrichment. This selfless attitude, which testifies to love and true faith, is the opposite of the greed and self-interest evident in many prosperity preachers. They try to encourage believers to donate to their "missionary work" through empty promises that in most cases only increase their private wealth.
Acts 3,6
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Neither Jesus nor his apostles were wealthy. Yet, although they themselves possessed little, they were able to give gifts to many people and enrich them through the gospel. Their frugal lifestyle should serve as an example for all Christians—then and today.
Acts 20,33-35
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Paul explains that every believer's focus should be on giving rather than receiving, as this is where true blessing lies. Those who give only to receive more reveal that their actions are truly motivated by self-interest rather than selfless love. Furthermore, this kind of "generosity" is profoundly hypocritical. Anything that is not done out of love has no value before GOD.
1st Corinthians 6,9 f.
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of GOD? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of GOD.
Ephesians 5,3
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for GOD’s holy people.
Colossians 3,5
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
1st Timothy 6,9-11
9 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. 10 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. 11 But you, man of GOD, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
The Bible teaches that the greed for money is shameful because it leads people to apostasy and thus to ruin. Paul warns that greedy people will have no share in the kingdom of GOD, since they are not truly serving GOD, but mammon, and thus a false "god." The Bible calls this "idolatry." Such an attitude is carnal and just as reprehensible as fornication, adultery, or theft. Therefore, Christians should flee from it.
2nd Corinthians 6,3 f. + 10
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of GOD we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; (...) 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Paul shows that one doesn't have to have much to make others happy. The greatest treasure a Christian possesses is their faith and their hope for eternal life. By proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of GOD, other people can also share in this everlasting treasure.
2nd Corinthians 9,5-12
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to GOD. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to GOD.
Here, too, the focus is on giving. Paul explains that sharing with those in need brings great blessings to both others and the giver; not in the form of increased wealth, but in the fact that we can count on the help of others in times of need. We should use everything GOD gives us to serve one another in love and to do good. In this way, people can experience GOD's goodness and grace and give honor and thanks to the Heavenly Father for it.
The purpose of giving is not to become richer. Such thinking is wrong and contradicts the essence of love. Kindness, or generosity, is a fruit of the Spirit. Its opposites are covetousness and avarice. Therefore, a Christian should give voluntarily (not reluctantly) and from the heart. Mandatory offerings, such as those common in most churches, are not in GOD's will.
Galatians 6,6
6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Paul points out that believers are obligated to provide for one another. This includes contributing to the living expenses of those who serve as teachers in the church and who do not have their own income. This is not a fixed salary, but a gift. How much a Christian should give is determined by each person's individual needs. The generous income of some ministers and pastors often far exceeds their own needs and often leads to an excessive lifestyle.
Philippians 4,10-12
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
1st Timothy 6,6-8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Hebrews 13,5
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because GOD has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Paul explains that believers should be content with just food and clothing. He himself sets an example. This attitude contrasts with the luxurious and extravagant lifestyles embraced by most prosperity gospel proponents. A Christian should use his abundance fruitfully for the benefit of others, rather than continually accumulating more wealth for himself. In this context, Paul describes contentment as great gain.
Being wealthy is not necessarily an advantage, as some believe. On the contrary, wealth leads to greed, which is idolatry and leads people away from GOD. Those who have little, on the other hand, can serve God freely and wholeheartedly. At the same time, they can always rely on GOD to provide them with everything they need. For a person's life does not depend on their possessions, but solely on GOD.
1st Timothy 6,17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in GOD, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Paul urges rich people to be generous so that their possessions will also benefit others. This way, they can store up treasures in heaven, for which GOD will reward them in the resurrection. However, those who think only of themselves rather than sharing with others will receive no benefit, neither now nor in the resurrection.
2nd Peter 2,1-3
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
These warnings apply precisely to the proponents of the prosperity gospel. They include people like Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Todd White, Passion Java, and many more. They present themselves as apostles, prophets, and teachers. They live in extravagant luxury and misuse GOD's Word to justify their carnal lifestyle. They talk a lot about GOD and Jesus, while denying Him through their way of life. Many of them have their own missionary enterprises. They travel the world and hold public appearances where they spread their corrupting teachings. They appear on programs like the Sid Roth Show, telling fictitious stories of alleged encounters with Jesus, angels, and other supernatural experiences to gain the attention of viewers. Their primary concern is to sell their books, through which they promise gullible people access to special spiritual experiences. They also offer seminars at exorbitant prices to rip people off. Some even have their own online store. Just like Satan, they mix truth with lies to deceive people and enrich themselves financially at the expense of others. Although they claim to be men and women of GOD, in reality they are driven solely by greed and selfishness. Unfortunately, many follow their teachings and their corrupt lifestyle.
The Bible teaches that these people will end in damnation. Every true Christian is therefore called to consistently avoid such people and expose them as false prophets and teachers.
James 1,9-11
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Jude explains that GOD does not favor rich people in any way. GOD rewards those who serve him humbly and wholeheartedly. Earthly wealth, on the other hand, is fleeting and brings no benefit to a person in the sight of GOD.