God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel

1. The prosperity gospel distorts biblical truth and exploits vulnerable people

The prosperity gospel distorts the biblical gospel by making the Good News all about you and all about stuff.

Deceptive theology. The prosperity gospel teaches that God wants all believers to be wealthy and healthy, promising material blessings in exchange for faith and financial donations. This distorts the true message of salvation and God's love, reducing Jesus to a means for personal gain. It exploits vulnerable people by promising quick fixes to life's problems through financial "seed faith" offerings.

False promises. Prosperity preachers often twist Scripture, taking verses out of context to support their claims. They teach that poverty and illness are signs of lack of faith, placing blame on individuals for their circumstances. This theology can lead to devastating consequences for believers who give beyond their means, neglect medical treatment, or feel spiritually inadequate when promised blessings don't materialize.

2. Growing up in the Hinn family: A life of luxury and spiritual manipulation

We were virtually untouchable when it came to sickness and disease.

Opulent lifestyle. Costi Hinn grew up in the inner circle of the prosperity gospel movement as the nephew of famous televangelist Benny Hinn. The family enjoyed immense wealth, including:

• Multimillion-dollar mansions
• Luxury cars (Bentleys, Ferraris)
• Private jets
• Designer clothing and accessories
• Lavish vacations in exotic locations

Spiritual manipulation. The Hinn family's ministry was built on claims of divine healing, speaking in tongues, and prophetic revelations. Young Costi was taught that their family had a special anointing from God, which justified their extravagant lifestyle. He witnessed firsthand the manipulation tactics used in healing crusades and fundraising efforts, where vulnerable people were exploited for financial gain.

3. The prosperity gospel's origins and global spread

The prosperity gospel used to be considered the cash cow of some fringe con artists posing as preachers. Today, the prosperity gospel has exploded to become one of the most popular teachings in the world.

Historical roots. The prosperity gospel finds its origins in the New Thought movement of the 19th century, which emphasized the power of positive thinking. Key figures in its development include:

• Phineas Quimby (1802-1866): Father of New Thought
• E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948): Blended New Thought with Christianity
• Oral Roberts (1918-2009): Pioneered televangelism and prosperity teaching

Global impact. The prosperity gospel has spread rapidly, particularly in developing nations, due to:

• Advancements in media technology
• The rise of seeker-driven churches
• Compromising consumerism in Christian publishing and conferences
• Appeal to human desires for health, wealth, and happiness

Its influence now reaches across continents, reshaping Christian theology and practice in many parts of the world.

4. Questioning the prosperity gospel: Cracks in the foundation

I had questions about some of our methods and teachings, but I didn't think that made the entire thing worth calling false. I still held the view that we were elite, anointed Christian leaders.

Personal experiences. Costi began to question the prosperity gospel through various experiences:

• Witnessing the death of a family member despite prayers for healing
• Observing the contrast between the Hinn family's wealth and the poverty of those they claimed to serve
• Encountering biblical teachings that contradicted prosperity theology

Cognitive dissonance. Despite growing doubts, Costi initially struggled to reconcile his family's teachings with the inconsistencies he observed. He rationalized these contradictions, believing that their "anointing" justified their methods and lifestyle. This internal conflict set the stage for his eventual transformation.

5. A transformative encounter with biblical truth

On April 30, 2013, right there in the middle of my sermon preparation, I had what Pastor Tony calls my "grace awakening" moment.

Biblical study. While preparing a sermon on John 5:1-17, Costi had a profound realization about the nature of God's healing and sovereignty. He discovered that Jesus' healings in the Bible were:

• Immediate and complete
• Not dependent on the recipients' faith or financial contributions
• Demonstrations of God's power and mercy, not human manipulation

Paradigm shift. This encounter with Scripture led to a complete transformation of Costi's theology and worldview. He recognized the false teachings he had been part of and committed to studying and preaching the true gospel. This led to significant changes in his life, including:

• Biblical baptism
• Pursuit of theological education
• Confronting family members about their false teachings
• Embracing a life of faithful ministry rather than prosperity

6. The dangerous theology of the prosperity gospel

The prosperity gospel is obsessed with money and material gain. To argue that is to argue that gravity does not exist.

Theological distortions. The prosperity gospel:

1. Distorts the biblical gospel by focusing on material blessings rather than salvation
2. Insults God's nature by reducing Him to a cosmic genie granting wishes
3. Confuses the atonement by claiming physical healing and wealth as guaranteed benefits
4. Demeans Jesus Christ by making Him a means to personal gain
5. Twists Scripture to support its claims
6. Is motivated by love of money rather than love for God and others

Practical consequences. This false teaching:

• Produces false converts who believe in a different Jesus and gospel
• Overcomplicates faith by adding works and financial contributions as requirements
• Ruins Christianity's witness to the world
• Abuses vulnerable people by exploiting their desperation and faith

7. A balanced view on health and wealth from a biblical perspective

Wealth is not a sin; it's a responsibility. Use it well.

Biblical principles on health:

1. God still heals today, but not always immediately or in the ways we expect
2. Health isn't guaranteed on earth; suffering and trials are part of life
3. Christian joy is not dependent on circumstances
4. Physical limitations do not limit ministry impact

Biblical principles on wealth:

1. God owns everything; we are stewards
2. Wealth isn't guaranteed on earth; contentment should be our goal
3. Wealth is a tool for gospel advancement, not personal indulgence
4. Wealth is not a sign of elite spiritual status
5. Wealth is an immense responsibility to be used for God's kingdom

These principles provide a balanced approach to health and wealth, avoiding both the extremes of the prosperity gospel and a "poverty gospel" that glorifies suffering.

8. Reaching those caught in deception: Mercy, boldness, and discernment

We need to stay rooted in our faith, hoping in the return of Christ, and we must work tirelessly to rescue those who are deceived.

Three categories. Jude 22-23 outlines three approaches for reaching those caught in deception:

1. The Doubters: Show mercy and patience, building relationships to help them understand truth
2. The Deceived: Boldly confront errors and call to repentance, actively working to rescue them
3. The Dangerous: Show mercy from a distance, praying for their salvation while protecting oneself from their influence

Practical steps. When reaching out to those caught in false teaching:

1. Pray for them consistently
2. Study Scripture diligently to ground yourself in truth
3. Approach conversations with humility and love
4. Be patient and persistent in sharing truth
5. Focus on winning the person, not just winning arguments
6. Set healthy boundaries to protect yourself from harmful influence
7. Trust in God's power to change hearts and save His people

Last updated: August 16, 2024