Does God Want You to Be Rich?
In the May 13 edition of the Christian Standard, Dr. Lowery responded to a Time magazine cover story entitled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” Dr. Lowery’s article, entitled “Idolatry and Greed: Exposing the Health and Wealth Gospel,” is now online. In his typical “take no prisoners” style, Dr. Lowery reveals his hand in the first paragraphs:
Let me be clear at the outset: In my opinion, shaped by my study of Scripture, the teachings of the so-called health-wealth gospel are a perversion of the Bible. More explicitly: This gospel taught under a variety of names—Word of Faith, Prosperity Theology, Prosperity Lite, Health and Wealth, and Name It and Claim It—is ultimately bad news for the world for at least three reasons.
Any teaching that promises health and wealth in exchange for obeying God is a perversion of the gospel. The advocates quoted by Time are only the most famous and contemporary of those who have taught what I must conclude is untrue.
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Robert,
I am a missionary in Rio de Janeiro. I just received my May 13th issue of the Christian Standard in the mail today and read your article. Thank you!
The health and wealth gospel is alive and well in Brazil. So many people are being taken in by it. I am reminded of what Paul wrote in 2 Tm 4 about the people with itching ears who seek out what they want to hear. You are right: “this is no gospel at all”!
Another problem is that when people who have been sold this lie discover that what they were promised does not come true they often believe that it is God who has not come through with his part of the bargin.
Thanks again, and keep preaching the word!
Larry Zinck
Rio de Janeiro