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prosperity gospel

10 Signs of a Prosperity Gospel Scam

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It might be a prosperity scam when. . .

#10 The donation button is bigger than their logo

Being in marketing for a few years has taught me about conversion rates. When you have a website, you identify your #1 objective and make sure that your content and website layout all point to the goal you want your customers to accomplish.

#9 Everything is about sowing seeds

I am not sure what the obsession is with the sowing seed idea, but somehow it seems to be prevalent all throughout the prosperity gospel circles. My guess is that they want you to get your mind off of immediately seeing returns when you give them money. It could take ten or twenty years to see that acorn turn into a magnificent oak tree. So a seed now, but don’t expect anything immediately in return.

#8 You have to pay for their paraphernalia to learn the “simple” steps to prosperity

All the books, pamphlets, audio, videos, workbooks, trinkets, seminars, and classes just to explain the “simple” steps to prosperity? Yikes! All of that helps the preacher be prosperous. Whatever happened to hard work, good ideas, and investments to build prosperity?

#7 The website is colored green and gold

It’s so cliché, but it’s true. The prosperity gospel’s top color choices are green and gold. It’s one of the most hideous color combinations on the planet too.

#6 Receiving God’s blessings sounds like a sales pitch

If they are coming at you like an aggressive car salesman to convince you that God wants to bless you, then it’s time to reconsider sticking around any longer. God doesn’t need your monetary sacrifice to bless you financially. A farmer works hard in the field to grow crops. The hard work pays off and that’s where the blessing comes from. The amount of seed the farmer plants and the costs for the seed are minuscule to the amount of harvest that comes from it. Giving shouldn’t be painful, it should be cheerful.

#5 They display people showing off their bling

If you feel that you are on a casino or gambling site, but it turns out it’s supposed to be about the gospel, then you’ve found yourself a prosperity gospel scam. Playing the lottery doesn’t make you rich. The gospel isn’t associated with FanDuel. Feeding the flesh is not at all what we should be looking forward to.

#4 The usual prosperity preachers are on there

Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, Benny Hinn, Paul Crouch (both), Janice Crouch, Creflo Dollar, Rod Parsley, Freddie Prince, Joel Osteen, Mike Murdock. . . and the list goes on. I get it – I don’t think preachers should promote poverty or living your worst life. Both sides of the poverty vs riches argument are wrong. Saying you should be somewhere in the middle is wrong. How you live your life and how God blesses you for it is not our focus. We are not in a contest about how much we gain or how much we give away. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s not about glorifying and enriching our lives. The more I focused on myself, the more I felt secluded in life.

#3 They say the Bible contains the secrets to wealth

It’s not a secret, is it? Work hard, build good relationships, and make good decisions. What’s so secret? Many religions and cultures use idols and icons in their homes as a charm to bring good fortune. The gospel is different. There is no lucky charm, prayer, or buried secret that will turn poverty into riches. God is not a slot machine or genie waiting for you to rub him the right way so he can grant your three wishes.

#2 They sound like a QVC commercial or liquidation event

If they need your money now, or if they sound urgent for you to buy their latest trinket, then it’s a scam. When I lived in Pensacola Florida, for six years the same furniture company stood out on the corner of a busy street holding a sign that said, “Going out of business/liquidation event.” For six years this went on. That was 17 years ago and I wouldn’t doubt they’re standing there right now.

#1 Prosperity preachers talk about money and happiness more than the gospel

The two words – prosperity and gospel should not be in the same sentence. It’s a prosperity message. The gospel is something else entirely different. Content entirely about your lifestyle, parenting, work, relationships, finances, etc. may have its place in our lives. We need wisdom, encouragement, hope, and inspiration in all areas of our lives. When God’s people come together to do what God purposed – to worship him; but instead find themselves focusing on worshipping the needs of our own lives, I see a problem.

$11 Million Christian Ponzi Scheme

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An ABC News story written by Steve Osunsami states that Ephren Taylor is being accused of $11 million Christian ponzi scheme by the SEC. Not surprisingly, he has had influence upon New Birth Missionary Baptist Church with Eddie Long, as well as Lakewood Church run by Joel Osteen. Once again the health-wealth, prosperity gospel is showing its true colors. Ephran Taylor scandal targeted mostly black mega churches in at least 40 different states.

One of the comedic notes on this story written by ABC News is that the “SEC also alleged that he doled out cash to make a splashy music video starring his wife, Meshelle, draped in white fur and diamonds. The name of the song? “Billionaire.”” If you have the slightest imagination you should get a chuckle out of envisioning the gangsta and his wife singing out their bling-bling with money floating out of the sky.

Another kicker from the ABC News story is that, “Lakewood Church told ABC News they opened their doors to Taylor to speak on the subject of “Biblical financial principals,””

To top it off, one of the investors that were schemed out of their money warned Lakewood Church leadership about Ephren Taylor, and after doing so the leadership blames the victim. These wolves in sheep’s clothing are letting other wolves sneak into the fold, which is crazy that impostors can’t even recognize their own kind!!!

Tithing Confession

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If you navigate to the website of Family Community Church in North Highlands, CA, you will come across their “Tithing Confession” page. here is the link – http://familycc.org/tithing-confession

Look at the ridiculous, and comical tithing confession below

tithing confession

Every single one of the blessings you can receive by the tithing confession is all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. This greedy, manipulative, viperous, prosperity pimp is downright heretical. If you give your tithe, now, all of a sudden your bills are paid off and your debts demolished!? What kind of nonsense is this?

One of the most annoying things about the pentecostal, prosperity gospel crowd is their arrogance. It’s just how they demand these things to happen if they just state it with complete boldness and proclaim “in Jesus name” at the end of their declaration. They are always trying to cast out the demon of debt (in jesus name) or the demon of poverty ( in jesus name). the only demon they need out of the equation is themselves. More money, More materialism, more checks in the mail, more gifts, more income, better job, bigger bounuses. ME . . . ME . . .  ME. Does “more for me” sound like the name of Jesus?

A Look at the Prosperity Gospel in the Pentecostal Church

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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.

What to Look for in a Non-Tithing Believer

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Many tithers don’t trust anti-tithers. And what I mean by anti-tithers are those who actively speak out and attack the teachings of those who support tithing. Since the pro-tithing defense in scripture is so weak, I feel that many of them try to attack the character of those who teach against tithing. Pro-tithers can’t seem to break down the spiritual walls of scripture that anti-tithers have built, so they have to the imperfections in human flesh.

For instance, I had a commenter state that they have nothing against spirit led giving, it’s just they have never met someone who believes in it and is also a true, sacrificial giver. They assumed that if I believed in Spirit-led giving and the examples in the early church, then I should be selling my home and distributing it among everyone, and giving it all to the poor. The funny thing is that tithers claim to be the ones who are spirit filled with the truth, and yet, they bind these heavy burdens on the back of spirit-led givers and they don’t carry it themselves. Do they believe in the New Testament examples of giving or not?

I’m just ranting here because I’m tired of putting myself on trial when I’m debating tithing. Whatever happened to putting truth and error on trial? It doesn’t matter if Paul is against tithing, pro-tithers will still find some way to attack his character instead of defending scripture in a debate. Tithers will only listen to the arguments from anti-tithers who are super-Christians and so perfect they actually walk around with a slight halo above their head. There’s three criteria pro-tithers search for before they even pay attention to what you would have to say. If an anti-tither doesn’t fit the qualifications below, he’ll have no luck to convince a pro-tither about tithing, or for that matter, whether he is even saved.

Pro-tithers want someone who doesn’t struggle with the love of money

Money is the most talked about subject in the bible. So, trying to find someone who doesn’t struggle with the love of money is like trying to find someone who doesn’t struggle with sin at all. They want to ask you questions like, how much is your car payment? Do you have a flat screen? How big is it? Do you take your family on vacations? How big is your microwave? Do you shop at Walmart or Nordstroms? What is your contribution amount on your tax return?

They will ask these questions in hopes of uncovering that one little delicacy you own that is considered above your needs. I’m sure they don’t question their pastor driving a brand new car every 5 years, or going on vacation, or having all their children’s schooling paid for.

The pro-tither’s personal scrutiny is worse than the FBI coming in with a search warrant and tearing up your whole house in hopes of finding a piece of evidence. What’s even worse, is when they find the thread of evidence, they setup the judge and jury right there, and find you guilty on all counts, and sentence you to a lifelong conviction of materialism in the first degree.

Pro-tithers have this checklist of things they go through to validate your sincerity. Of course, they make sure that they don’t include any of their own impulse possessions. Try asking a pro-tither what possessions they own, and they will be offended. How dare you ask a tither if they struggle with love of money? Why? didn’t you know? Tithing protects them from materialism. Duh! Of course, they are immune to materialistic kryptonite. They have all the strengths of Super Christian, but none of his weaknesses.

They want someone who gives at least 11% (10%, plus the 1% going ABOVE and BEYOND!)

Yep, if you don’t believe in tithing and you are trying to tell a pro-tither the truth, they won’t listen to you until they know you give 11%.

When I believed in tithing, my tithing record was announced constantly. I’m not saying that your giving must remain private, but it just shows that tithing is a such a distraction. Imagine if the Christian community was so focused on the exact number of hours you prayed this week, or the exact hours you served? When you prayed for your dinner, how long did you pray for? Was your dress long enough – was your tie straight enough? Was the sermon long enough, and was the worship loud enough?

It’s like every christian has their resume publicly on trial, and if you don’t have three letters behind your name followed by a percentage sign, your resume is passed over.

One thing that’s funny to me, is if you tell a pro-tither in a debate that you do give 10%, they seem to cool down quickly. They have nothing to argue about, because their whole argument is based on the assumption you are greedy and are trying to get out of giving 10%. For example, I argued with a pastor for about 15 minutes one time about tithing. He finally asked what I gave, and I told him what my tax return said. And he was like, “Oh”, and then shut up. The debate was over. I kept trying to get into it, but he had nothing to say.  What happened to debating scripture here!!!? Were we debating me? Was I on trial? What does what I give have to do with hermeneutics and apologetics? Absolutely nothing! And that’s my point. As you can see, most don’t care about what scripture says. They just care about being right and the easiest way to do that is to personally attack you instead of scripture.

They want someone who is not bitter

If you slam pulpit pimps, Christan consumerism, the prosperity gospel, pastoral salaries, or church budgets, then you must be jealous and bitter and that’s why you don’t believe in tithing.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single person in this world who changed directions in their life because they kept seeing too many positive results. For example, you did not convert to the family of God because sin and spiritual death was such a pleasurable experience. The wrong path is painful, and hurts to travel on. And it even hurts to work your way back to the right one. Not that the right path is all peaches either, but at least you are not on your own.

When the truth is on the line, it shouldn’t matter who uncovers it. Should we care that Martin Luther stated his 95 thesis out of anger or bitterness, or that he had spouts of anti-semitism in his life? No. his character plays no part in determining truth. Truth is truth, no matter if a demon is confessing it. Acts 16:17

Conclusion

Apart from sitting in a dungeon with ashes on my head, owning nothing but the rag I’m wearing around my waste, and singing living hymns night and day; i don’t know how to avoid being perceived as a greedy, bitter, lost, anti-tither. Many pro-tithers are not interested in finding holes in my biblical arguments; they want to find holes in my humanity. I hate to spoil the suspenseful ending or give away the climax, but i have a ton of holes. So, guess what? I don’t care what I’m judged. If I lived on a 4 million dollar yacht, i wouldn’t care if they knew about it; because they still don’t know how that yacht is being used by God. (ok, so maybe a little overboard with the yacht example – pun intended)

I doubt there’s many people who understand my rant here, but no pro-tither can make a judgment about who i am or what my heart is like. Trying to figure me out is not like trying to find a needle in a haystack – it’s like trying to find a needle in 100 haystacks.