Prosperity gospel

The Prosperity gospel is a heretical teaching within some Protestant and non-Denominational circles that emphasizes material wealth, physical health, and worldly success as signs of God’s favour and evidence of true faith. Rooted in an ignorance of the teachings of the Bible, this theology often claims that God promises financial prosperity and physical healing to all believers who demonstrate sufficient faith, often measured by financial giving to ministries or declarations of positive confession.

It often operates as a scam, exploiting vulnerable individuals by encouraging them to "plant seeds of faith" through monetary donations to a specific church or teacher, with promises of miraculous financial returns or guaranteed healing. Instead of fostering genuine faith and trust in God, the Prosperity Gospel promotes greed, idolatry, and disillusionment, leaving many spiritually and financially impoverished.

The teaching mainly arises within Pentecostal or non-Denominational churches with poor standards for ministerial education, however it is in no way mainstream. Reformed Christianity and other Christian traditions firmly reject this teaching, pointing to Scripture's clear emphasis on eternal salvation, spiritual blessings, and the redemptive purpose of suffering in the Christian life.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains." - 1 Timothy 6:10

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21