“…You may say to yourself, `My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me’. But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” –Deuteronomy 8:17-18
According to La Civiltà Cattolica, a bimonthly publication put out by Roman Catholic Jesuits based in Vatican City, the “prosperity gospel” adhered to by many in the United States is a distortion of the Gospel, along with the entire Bible itself. The report (which can be read in its entirety at facebook.com/attybatas) noted, wealthy American pastors preach on the aforementioned gospel, which promises the acquisition of wealth or prosperity for believers.
The report begs the question, how do we treat Bible verses that, indeed, promise God will give believers their daily needs if they carefully listen to the word of God and faithfully obey His commands?
Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Proverbs 3:1-2, Matthew 6:33, among other Bible verses fully suggest, when an individual listens to God and obeys His commands, they will be assured paradise in eternal life, along with prosperity, material abundance, and wealth while a believer is still in this world.
Can it really be said these portions of the Bible, which center on economic successes, prosperity, and social stature, are distortions of what God really wants for his believers?
Everything in the Bible is inspired by God
Was it a mistake by those inspired by God to write the 78 books (76 in some denominations) comprising the Bible to include “biblical pathways to prosperity” if it was inspired by God himself? The Bible’s many verses on day-to-day living, health, and economic prosperity and peace have been proven to be true and accurate – they are also undeniably inspired by God himself.
There is no denying God intended for these parts of the Bible because He wanted it to be shared with any people are possible, particularly those who accepted Him as their God.
Are we to discard these verses because they are being utilized effectively by preachers and religious leaders in enticing believers away from the church and, therefore, permanently depleting the institution of its ranks?
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