Most everyone realizes that the prosperity gospel (health-wealth gospel) is one of the holy grails within the Pentecostal Church. The prosperity gospel is the belief that God will financially bless those he favors. . . Now, let’s get straight to the point.
Data, collected by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows that the Pentecostal Church is one of the least financially blessed groups of religious believers worldwide. The New York Times created a simple chart of the data that is posted below (click on the image to enlarge)
The Pentecostal group is at the bottom of the chart! So Pentecostal’s, how’s that health-wealth working out for ya? The Bible says, where your heart is, there will your treasure be. One thing that Pentecostals forgot to realize that God didn’t say how much treasure. Pentecostals have been storing up their treasure. Unfortunately, it’s much less treasure than everyone else. Tis a shame
Seeing the information above makes me believe that God has a great sense of irony. If you are a Pentecostal, and you are offended or shocked at the data. If you think these stats are skewed, then let me give you a little reminder of some interactions between Solomon and God.
Solomon in 1 Kings 3: “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
The prosperity gospel claimed by some in the church is empty. There is no measurable fruit produced from the message they are teaching. If the gospel of Christ had this much negative impact and lack of fruit, I’d be an atheist.
If you have faith in the prosperity preaching, I’d say you’re just as insane as those who drank Harold Camping’s Kool-aid.