Suffering vs. Prosperity: Another Gospel

“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  For, am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or, am I striving to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”    (Gal 1:9-10)

“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God–I mean, that’s one way to look at it–we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we are happy. . . . That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy. . .”      
(Victoria Osteen, Sept/2014)

The words of Paul to the church in Galatia stand in stark contrast to the words of the pastors Osteen, and his warning against the preaching of “another gospel” could just as easily be applied to the proponents of today’s prosperity gospel.

At this very moment, Christians in the Middle-East, China, Eastern Europe and S.E. Asia are “literally” facing the sword of oppressors and the threat of death.  I have it on good authority from friends in the mission field, that whole families of believers are being arrested for their faith; some being forced to renounce Jesus or be beheaded.  Amazingly, they are standing for Christ and many, including young children, have paid the ultimate price.

How do you suppose these persecuted believers view the prosperity teaching of the Osteens and their ilk?  If “our pleasure” is the “thing that gives Him the greatest joy.”; then, their suffering in Europe and the Middle-East must sorely disappoint Him.

Can you imagine the Osteens preaching in Iraq, Somolia, Bejing, Sri Lanka or Russia, the same message they promote here in the U.S.?  Do you honestly believe they would have the same following there as here?  I think not. 

 

I firmly believe that just as Paul admonished the Galatians against the Judaizers, so we, who call ourselves leaders here in N.Amer, should be rightly calling  out these prosperity proponents for what they are…false teachers and deceivers.

Theirs is NOT the gospel of the Apostles and Scripture.  It is half-truth that gives false-hope.  It has no universal application to believers across this globe, most of whom face hardships we in the U.S. cannot begin to fathom. 

 

Have you ever heard a prosperity teacher preach on the following verses…?

“Now 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.”  

(Rom 8:17)

“As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured…” 

(James 5:10-11)

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

(Matt 5:10-11)

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 

(1 Pet 3:14)

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” 
(James 1:12)

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

(2 Cor 12:9-10)

“…and others (of the faithful) experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.…” 

(Heb. 11:36-38)

The gospel of the prosperity-mongers may have an element of truth to it…but, it is half-truth.  And just like the half-truths of Lucifer, in the Garden of Eden, and in the wilderness with Jesus, they only lead to deception, failure and frustration in the face of the persecution and the hardship promised to every believer…

“Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” 

(John 15:20)

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

(2nd Tim 3:12)

So, my friends, beware those who seek to seduce you with “another gospel” that is not the whole truth.  Who seek to set you up for great disappointment when the suffering and persecution promised to you arrives.

We need to pray for those fellow believers suffering at the hand of evil men across this globe.  We also need to pray that when our time comes, like those of the faith in Hebrews 11, we also will stand for Jesus, no matter the cost.

God bless you and strengthen you for the times you must face.