PROSPERITY GOSPEL
What is Prosperity Gospel?
THE ALITA REYNOLDS SHOW
Inspiring conversations that will encourage you to live the life you were created for.
Do you want to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus?
Do you need some encouragement that your story has a purpose?
Join Alita Reynolds, the President of Women of Faith, as she and her featured guests inspire you to live the life you were created for and equip you to walk more fully in God’s purpose for your life.
Whatever your story, your life matters, you belong, and God wants you to live victoriously. You’ll meet a wide range of guests who impact the kingdom in meaningful ways every day. Their stories will inspire you to believe that when we walk by faith, ANYTHING is possible.
Examples of False Biblical Teachings
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Salvation by Works (Legalism)
- Teaching that people must earn their salvation through good works, rituals, or law-keeping.
- Biblical Truth: Salvation is by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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Prosperity Gospel ("Health and Wealth Gospel")
- Teaching that God guarantees financial wealth and perfect health if you have enough faith or give enough money.
- Biblical Truth: While God blesses, Jesus and the apostles never promised earthly riches (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:9-10).
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Universalism (Everyone Goes to Heaven)
- Teaching that everyone will be saved, regardless of faith in Christ.
- Biblical Truth: Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
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Rejecting the Trinity
- Some groups deny that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (e.g., Modalism or Arianism).
- Biblical Truth: The Bible affirms the Trinity (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
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Hyper-Grace (No Need for Repentance)
- Teaching that because of grace, sin doesn’t matter, and repentance is unnecessary.
- Biblical Truth: True grace leads to repentance and transformation (Romans 6:1-2, Titus 2:11-12).
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New Revelations That Contradict Scripture
- Claiming that modern revelations, visions, or prophecies override the Bible.
- Biblical Truth: God’s Word is complete and sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Galatians 1:8).
God’s Heart on False Teachings and the Prosperity Gospel
God hates false teachings because they lead people away from the truth and into deception. The prosperity gospel distorts biblical prosperity, focusing on wealth, health, and personal gain instead of faithfulness, humility, and spiritual growth. The Bible warns against false teachers who use religion for greed and promises that true prosperity is found in Christ alone.
God's Heart on False Teachings
God strongly warns against false teachers and doctrines that mislead His people.
a) God Hates False Teachings Because They Corrupt the Gospel
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Galatians 1:8-9 – "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"
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The prosperity gospel is “another gospel” that focuses on material gain rather than salvation through Christ.
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2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ... their end will be what their actions deserve."
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False teachers disguise themselves as servants of God but lead people away from the truth.
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b) False Teachings Lead People Away from Jesus
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2 Timothy 4:3-4 – "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
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Many embrace prosperity teachings because they sound appealing, even if they don’t align with the Bible.
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Matthew 7:15 – "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
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False teachers look harmless but ultimately exploit and deceive God’s people.
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c) False Teachers Will Face Judgment
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2 Peter 2:1-3 – "There will be false teachers among you... In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them."
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Many prosperity gospel preachers exploit people for money, and God warns that judgment is coming.
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God's Heart on the Prosperity Gospel
While God does bless His people, the prosperity gospel distorts biblical prosperity by making it about money, success, and health instead of spiritual well-being, faithfulness, and obedience to God.
a) True Prosperity is Spiritual, Not Material
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Matthew 6:33 – "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
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Prosperity gospel preachers focus on material wealth, but Jesus calls us to seek spiritual riches first.
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3 John 1:2 – "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
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God desires our well-being, but true prosperity is first about our soul’s health, not our wallet.
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b) Wealth is Not a Sign of God’s Favor
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1 Timothy 6:9-10 – "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
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Prosperity teachings obsess over money, but the Bible warns about the dangers of greed.
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James 2:5 – "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith?"
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Many faithful believers live in poverty, proving that wealth is not a measure of God’s blessing.
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c) Suffering is Part of the Christian Life
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John 16:33 – "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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The prosperity gospel denies suffering, but Jesus promised that trials are part of following Him.
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2 Timothy 3:12 – "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
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Instead of guaranteeing riches, Jesus calls us to endure hardships for His name.
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How Should Christians Respond?
Since God is against false teachings and prosperity distortions, believers should:
a) Study and Know the True Gospel
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Acts 17:11 – "The Berean Jews were of more noble character... for they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
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Christians must test teachings against Scripture to avoid deception.
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b) Expose False Teachings Lovingly
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Ephesians 5:11 – "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."
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Believers should warn others about false doctrines while showing Christ’s love.
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c) Focus on Eternal Riches, Not Earthly Wealth
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Matthew 6:19-20 – "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
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True prosperity is found in eternal life, faithfulness, and obedience to God.
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