These false teachers have sold their souls for fame and wealth, fulfilling the prophecy in 2 Peter 2:3: “In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.”
The early church forsook possessions to serve God. Modern prosperity churches, however, have reversed this, using the Name of God falsely to gain possessions.
Introduction.
The prosperity gospel movement—often referred to as the “Word of Faith,” “name it and claim it,” or “health and wealth gospel”—is “one of the most destructive heresies to plague modern Christianity. Promising earthly riches, luxury, and physical health as divine rights of believers, it preaches a gospel opposed to that of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
This article will explore:
- Its origins and key proponents
- How it deviates from biblical truth
- Top 20 charismatic prosperity churches globally
- Scriptural refutations showing God’s actual call to faith, contentment, and self-denial.
Origins of the Prosperity Gospel Movement
The prosperity gospel’s roots lie in several related movements.
1. New Thought Movement (19th century)
- Emerged in America through Phineas Quimby (1802–1866), who taught mind science, affirming that sickness and poverty result from incorrect thinking. His philosophy gave rise to Christian Science (Mary Baker Eddy) and influenced early prosperity teachers.
2. E.W. Kenyon (1867–1948)
- A Baptist pastor heavily influenced by New Thought metaphysics and mind science, merging them with Christian terminology.
- Taught “positive confession,” that words carry creative power, forming the foundation of Word of Faith theology.
3. Kenneth Hagin Sr. (1917–2003)
- Often called the “father of the Word of Faith movement.”
- Claimed divine visions and adopted Kenyon’s teachings, expanding them into doctrines such as:
- Believers are little gods.
- Health and wealth are covenant rights.
- Positive confession brings reality into being
From Hagin, these teachings spread to thousands of ministers worldwide, including Kenneth Copeland, his protégé, who took prosperity theology to global television networks.
4. Oral Roberts (1918–2009)
- Pentecostal healing evangelist who infused “seed faith giving” into mainstream Christianity, teaching that giving to God guarantees a multiplied financial return.
- Established a legacy of merging healing ministry with wealth promises, shaping American televangelism.
5. Modern Televangelists and Mega-churches
Today’s prosperity gospel preachers continue this false legacy, emphasizing:
- Wealth as proof of faith
- Sowing financial seeds to unlock blessings
- God as a cosmic ATM dispensing cash at demand
This teaching is not biblical Christianity but a materialistic distortion preying on desperation, poverty, and human greed.
Top 20 Charismatic Prosperity Gospel Churches Deviating from the True Gospel
Below are 20 of the largest and most influential prosperity gospel churches worldwide. They have amassed millions in tithes, offerings, and “seed faith gifts,” using scriptures out of context to enrich themselves:
- Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen)—Houston, USA
- World Changers Church International (Creflo Dollar)—Atlanta, USA
- Kenneth Copeland Ministries – Fort Worth, USA
- Hillsong Church – Sydney, Australia
- The Potter’s House (T. D. Jakes)—Dallas, USA
- Redeemed Christian Church of God – Lagos, Nigeria
- Winners Chapel (David Oyedepo)—Ota, Nigeria
- Inspiration Ministries (David Cerullo)—South Carolina, USA
- Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Lagos, Nigeria
- Universal Church of the Kingdom of God – São Paulo, Brazil
- Christ Embassy (Chris Oyakhilome)—Lagos, Nigeria
- Synagogue Church of All Nations (late T.B. Joshua)—Lagos, Nigeria
- Bethel Church (Bill Johnson)—Redding, USA
- Faith Tabernacle (David Oyedepo) – Nigeria
- Elevation Church (Steven Furtick)—North Carolina, USA
- New Creation Church (Joseph Prince)—Singapore
- Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (Eddie Villanueva)—Philippines
- Cornerstone Church (John Hagee)—San Antonio, USA
- City Harvest Church (Kong Hee)—Singapore
- International House of Prayer (Mike Bickle)—Kansas City, USA
These churches have promoted a prosperity-focused theology that centers on material gain, despite Christ’s clear teachings against greed and the idolatry of wealth.
The True Gospel vs. the Prosperity Gospel: A Biblical Comparison
### 1. Jesus’ Teachings on Wealth
- Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Matthew 19:21-24 – The rich young ruler. Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Jesus. He went away sorrowful, unable to part with his wealth. Jesus then declared, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
- Luke “12:15—”Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
2. The Early Church Example
In Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35, believers sold their possessions and shared with anyone in need. The Church of Pentecost was marked by sacrificial giving, communal love, and spreading the gospel, not by leaders hoarding millions in luxury mansions and jets.
3. Apostolic Warnings Against Greed
- 1 Timothy 6:5-10
- “…men of corrupt mind… who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
- 2 Peter 2:1-3
- “But there were also false prophets… They will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them…”
- Titus 1:10-11
- “Many people are rebellious and simply spread falsehoods; they must be silenced, as their teachings are damaging entire households for the sake of dishonest gain.”
- Hebrews 13:5
- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…”
4. Jesus Cleansing the Temple
In Matthew 21:12-13, Jesus drove out the money changers, overturning their tables, declaring:
“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”
The prosperity gospel turns the church into a marketplace, exactly as Jesus rebuked.
Modern Prosperity Preachers: Preaching Another Gospel
Galatians 1:6-9 warns:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting…to a different gospel… But if we or an angel from heaven preach a different gospel than the one we preached to you, let them be cursed by God!
### Notable Proponents and Their Heretical Teachings
- Joel Osteen: God wants you to live your “best life now,” focusing on positive thinking and material success, rarely mentioning sin, repentance, or the cross.
- Creflo Dollar teaches tithing as an enforceable heavenly tax to unlock divine wealth, amassing vast personal fortunes.
- Kenneth Copeland: Claims believers are “little gods” and can demand wealth through spoken word faith.
- Benny Hinn: Promises healing and miracles in exchange for seed offerings, exposed multiple times for staged healings.
- T. D. Jakes: While doctrinally charismatic, his teachings often blur into prosperity themes, emphasizing elevation and breakthrough with little emphasis on suffering for Christ.
These teachers have sold their souls for fame and wealth, fulfilling the prophecy in 2 Peter 2:3: “In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.”
The Call to True Discipleship
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Jesus promises provision—not mansions, jets, and millions hoarded by preachers – but daily needs met as we seek His kingdom and righteousness.
Philippians 4:11-13
“…I have learned in whatever state I am to be content… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul’s teaching emphasized contentment in abundance or lack, rather than “claiming” millions.
Conclusion
The prosperity gospel is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a false gospel rooted in:
- New Thought metaphysics
- Mind science and positive confession
- Human greed and manipulation
It contradicts the teachings of Christ, who said:
“If anyone comes after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
The early church forsook possessions to serve God. Modern prosperity churches, however, have reversed this, using God to acquire possessions.
May believers test every spirit (1 John 4:1), stand firm against false teachings, and seek first His kingdom, knowing:
“What does it profit a man to gain the entire world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
