Prosperity Theology
By Mfortaw, Ewang Nelson
Copyright © 2014 by Mfortaw, Ewang Nelson.
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS MARKED
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Unless otherwise indicated, all other quotations from scripture have been taken from the Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version®.
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Prosperity Theology
“My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
—Job 42:7 (NKJV)
In the days of Job, a theological trend existed that viewed financial and physical well-being as always being God’s will for the righteous. Job’s friends adhered to this belief, which is why they could not reason with Job without condemning and criticizing him, as seen in chapters 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18. In contrast, Job understood that the righteous might also face setbacks, depending on God’s plan for their lives (Job 2:10, NKJV).
In Job 42:7, we see that God disapproved of the message being conveyed by Job’s friends about Him. During Jesus’ day, Jews held a similar belief that the righteous could not experience setbacks, attributing every sickness, disappointment, and trouble to sin. However, Jesus rebuked this notion (John 9:3, NKJV).
If we suffer due to sin, we should repent. If our suffering results from mistakes, we should take appropriate steps to correct them. Everyone makes mistakes, and we should learn from them to become better individuals. Even the righteous face problems; some of our disappointments may serve as redirections from God, while certain apparent blessings can be harmful.
God has never promised that we will be free from problems, disappointments, or sickness. Many great prophets of the Old Testament died from illnesses—after all, something must claim our lives (Genesis 9:5, NIV).
Instead, God assured us that “no evil shall befall you,” meaning that all things (good or bad) work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalms 84:11). Pray that evil does not happen to you, but understand that offenses will come (Luke 17:1, NIV). Disappointments or humiliations can lead to new opportunities, reveal people’s true natures, or protect you from imminent dangers.
For instance, imagine being deceived by fraudsters online and rushing to the bank to make a life-changing transfer, only to find there is no internet connection. You may feel disappointed, but it could be God’s way of protecting you. Consider a scenario where you are misled by traffickers to travel abroad, having paid all your money. You miss your flight and feel distraught over lost chances and debts, but it was God watching over you.
He protects His children. Are you one of them? If so, prepare to walk with Him through fire without being burned. Be ready to walk on water to the other side and split rocks to drink from them. Do not fear offenses; you are safeguarded from absolute evil. Continue to trust, and pray that He would not lead you into challenges but will deliver you from evil (Matthew 6:13, NIV)
Life’s challenges or sicknesses are not necessarily curses; God works in ways we cannot always comprehend. We cannot claim to fully understand His ways (Job 42:3, NKJV). God does not operate according to the principles of prosperity theology, which is why He rebuked Job’s friends (Job 42:7, NIV).
Consider the history of the early church—was Jesus born into wealth? Should his mother be deemed cursed for giving birth in a manger? Everything about His life involved challenges (Isaiah 53:3, NIV), yet He triumphed over death. He believed that challenges could not hold him back. Meanwhile, many Christians today struggle to understand that disappointments do not mark the end of their journey.
No one can live in this world without facing challenges; they are an intrinsic part of our existence, often resulting from the actions of others. What truly matters is how we respond to these challenges.
It is essential to pray for good health ( James 5: 14; 3 John 1:2; Jeremiah 17:14; Matthew 8: 17; Mark16:18, NIV), but we must also recognize that experiencing occasional illnesses ( 1Timothy 5:23; 2Timothy 4:20) is a natural part of being human (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV). Since our bodies interact with various microorganisms, occasional illness is inevitable. To reduce these risks, we should not only pray but also pay attention to our diet, exercise regularly, and maintain good hygiene.
Stop fighting! Recognise He is the LORD!
Emmanuel is His name—Mighty Savior!
He is the King of Peace and the Lord of Salem.
He lifts me above curses and sorrows.
With Him, I walk through a hall full of challenges.
King of Kings is His name.
He always makes a way for me.
When troubles come, I will remember His name;
He is my refuge.
Rock of Ages, Ancient of Days is His name.
He confounds the wisdom of the wise
and says, “The young shall grow, and the weak shall become stronger.”
Jehovah is His name—great in battles!
He grants me success in the presence of my enemies.
Challenges may come, but You protect Your children from evil.
I shall not fear; I live to prosper in the land of the living.
I love You, Lord. You are the God of my breakthroughs!
Fortune sellers are within your walls, trampling all principles—oh, beautiful city! They entered through the East gate, so that everyone may believe they are messengers.
You, O Lord, will teach us Your principles and guide us to handle each day in accordance with the Bible.
We bless You, Lord Jesus! Your name never fails. Amen.
