The “Health and Wealth” Gospel

By Jeff Curtis

Some preachers today proclaim a “health and wealth” gospel. Their message is that God wants His people to do well physically and financially. They teach that, if Christians will follow in the ways of God, He will guarantee that they become rich and never get sick.

To prove this doctrine, these preachers often refer to the Old Testament, claiming that the promises to Abraham and the promises in passages like Leviticus 26 apply to Christians today. In doing so, they ignore several facts. Abraham was indeed wealthy, but he was a special individual who had a certain role to play in God’s plan of redemption. No one can claim to occupy the same place in God’s plan that Abraham had; therefore, no one can claim that he is guaranteed to receive the promises made to Abraham. As pointed out earlier, the promises made to the nation, not to the individuals. Righteous individuals among God’s people were often poor. What the Old Testament teaches doesn’t apply directly to Christians today, since Christians no longer live under the old covenant.

Sometimes false teachers appeal to New Testament passages such as Luke 6:38 to prove their assertion that God will always bless faithful Christians with health and wealth. That appeal has problems. Many Christians were martyred (for example, Stephen). The principle of martyrdom is incompatible with the “health and wealth” gospel. While some Christians were rich in New Testament times (1Timothy 6:17), many were not (1Cornthians 1:26).

If the “health and wealth” gospel were true, all faithful Christians should have been rich. Also, Christians got sick in New Testament times and were always healed by the Lord (2Corinthians 12:7-10; 1Timothy 5:23; 2Timothy 4:20). If the “health and wealth” gospel were true, how could that fact be explained?

What does the New Testament teach about material blessings? Only two promises teach related to material blessings are given in the New Testament. 1) God promises to meet our physical needs (as He defines them) if we seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). 2) If we live righteously, He had promised that He will be persecuted (2Timothy 3:12). We must conclude that the claims of the “health and wealth” gospel are false. The blessings promised Christians in passages like Luke 6:38 were spiritual in nature, not physical or material.

What are the blessings and the curses of the new covenant? Those who obey the Lord will receive the greatest blessing of all: They will be saved (Hebrews 5:8,9). Those who disobey, on the other hand, will be condemned (2Thessalonians 1:8,9). Jesus pictured the ultimate blessing, and the most terrible curse in Matthew 25. There He said that, in the day of judgement, those who have failed to help others will hear the dreaded words “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41). Those who have done good to others will hear the welcome words “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:34).  The ultimate blessings and curses of the new covenant will be pronounced on the last great day, when each person will hear either, “Depart…accursed ones” or “Come, you who are blessed.” Which will it be for you and me?

Greater Voice

by Andy Diestelkamp

The technology of social media has given greater voice to the masses while simultaneously insulating us from face-to-face realties. This has emboldened many to “come out” with their various identity crises with the support of and under the protection of a mob of virtual friends who will not only validate their choices but defensively rail against those who dare to question their choices and/or challenge their reasoning.

However, greater voice is a good thing only if it has ears to hear. Contrary to the biblical admonition, many are swift to speak, swift to wrath, and slow to hear (cf. James 1:19). This is not just a problem on the part of those who are “coming out” but also on the part of those who oppose them. While the worldly-wise nonsensically oppose opposition as unloving hate speech, those opposed to such worldly wisdom too often foolishly resort to worldly methods of opposition, forgetting that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Paul’s reminder is not just a condemnation of resorting to the extreme of physical violence but includes how we engage those in error with our words. While the reasoning of those who reject God and His Word can be frustrating and infuriating, our replies need to be characterized by

patient, long-suffering grace as exemplified by Jesus rather than in the manner of political leftists or rightists.

One of the advantages of the greater voice given to the common man is an exposure to a multitude of perspectives. Looking at things through different lenses or walking a mile in another man’s shoes are positive metaphors suggesting that we all still have more to learn from which we can benefit. Interaction with cultures other than the one of our own nativity can greatly affect our perspective on things. One of the dangers of “American exceptionalism” is the lack of objectivity that often comes with such pride. Indeed, for the Christian, any national or ethnic culture must ultimately submit to the culture of Christ and not vice versa (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19-23).

Yet, one of the disadvantages of the greater voice for so many is the confusion that often results when a multitude of diverse perspectives clash. The cacophony of voices can be overwhelming to the point of two extreme reactions: we stop listening to opposing views altogether, or we become so open-minded that our brains fall out. There’s a better place between the alleged bliss of ignorance and the alleged freedom of irrationality; and it is not found in worldly media, regardless of how fair and balanced it claims to be. It is only found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Word that became flesh (John 1:14) and is thus the divine voice to which our ears ought to be bent and tuned. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (10:27). “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (14:6). “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice” (18:37). “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). So let us filter the competing and confusing voices of this world through Jesus Christ and the words of His apostles and prophets. Let us find our identity in Christ alone and “come out” from the world “lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (18:4). Let us have ears to hear the greater and greatest voice, Jesus Christ.

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