Is the Health'n'Wealth/Prosperity Gospel in contradiction to the anti-materialism taught by Jesus?

Question

Jesus gave us the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus where the Rich Man ends up in Hell.  In the Sermon on the Mount, he taught "blessed are ye poor...but woe unto ye rich".  He told the Rich Young Man to sell all he had and give to the poor because it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

James Chapter 5 has a very anti-materialistic passage that begins with "Howl and weep ye rich..." and Paul said that the love of money is the root of all evil.  And in Acts, the two followers Ananias and Sapphira get struck dead because they didn't give all their money to the Church.

I could point out a lot more verses that shows that Jesus and the early Christians were very anti-materialistic, yet we have a ton of televangelists who tell you that giving them 'seed money' will make them wealthy.  I personally think the Health 'n' Wealth Gospel was one of the things that ultimately drove me into atheism.

Your thoughts?

Mr. Bluelight · Accepted Answer

Yes, but a lot of "religious" people already have their beliefs and they look for rules and loopholes to make it all work out.

cloud · Answer

TV Evangelists are on TV to make money.  They are no different than the man selling his line of clothing or his book.  So they can't tell you to be poor unless it is to send them money.
Since most people are selfish and want to know what do I get out of it?  They preach send me money and God will make you rich.  Nothing you see on TV is real.  The products rarely work as advertised.
Dish or other cable companies tell you their service is around 20. when after your in you find out it is about 60 or 70 dollars.  We have become accustomed to that.  However, when it comes to religion, people fail to see it is to make money.  Nothing more.
Olson owns 4 mansions in resort areas around the country, fleets of jets and fleets of cars and he is on the list of richest men in America.  Most thinking people would say he is good at selling himself.
He has made people believe he has this straight line with God.
Yet, the bible tells us God loves all of us the same.  So why do you think sending money to a rich man will get you in good with God?  It is just stupid but a lot of people fall for it and he laughs all the way to the bank.

lemonadep0p · Answer

"televangelists" are not true, that is why they are so publicized. If it goes against scripture you cant trust their message. These rich preachers with their mansions and cars will be punished.

You have pulled out these scriptures. Don't let some rotten apples turn you away, trust in the bible over what any man says. If what they are saying doesn't line up with the bible after testing it then don't listen to them.

Gregory · Answer

yes and no its not

1  John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

if god never allowed people to prosper how could they have the things to give and help people in need

god does not how ever give you goods for you to hoard for your self and not help others

god shall supply all our needs

so if your poor and you need good transportation and lots of money to pay the bills you have like doctor bills from being sick. is it wrong to prosper for god to supply those needs you have?

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Is the Health'n'Wealth/Prosperity Gospel in contradiction to the anti-materialism taught by Jesus?

4 Answers