Riches and Poverty in Africa

RICHES AND POVERTY IN AFRICA
PART SIX

It seems strange to me that in a continent with such poverty, the people fall victim to the Prosperity Gospel hurled their way by charlatans.

On one occasion I attended a growing church of 6,000 members which attracted Members of Parliament, bank managers and accountants, headmasters of secondary schools and thousands of youth.

That morning the pastor preached the Prosperity Gospel based on I Kings 17. The poor widow of Zarephath, about to eat her last remaining food before imminent starvation, was asked by the prophet Elijah to feed him first. When that poor widow in faith obeyed the prophet, God richly blessed her and saved her life with a jug of oil that never ran dry until the rains began to fall. Indeed, there was much truth in what this pastor preached – the need for faith and sacrificial giving by the poor who will then experience God’s blessing and favor.

But heresy is never total error, rather a mixture of truth and error, an unbalanced emphasis and distortion of the truth. Though the advocates of the Prosperity Gospel may quote Scripture, they never balance these isolated Scripture references with the full teaching of Scripture on poverty and wealth. Upon reflection we suggest that there are four serious errors in the Prosperity Gospel.
1. THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL DISTORTS THE TRUE PURPOSE OF GIVING.
Offerings should be given to God as an act of worship (Isa 43:22-24; Ps 116:12-17) and not for selfish gain. It is biblical truth that God promises to reward those who give to him generously (2 Cor 9:6-11). But the divine blessings reflect the gracious gift of God and not God’s obligation of favor. The desire for prosperity must never be the motive of giving. Before one gives material gifts, he should first give himself to the Lord (2 Cor 8:5; Rom 12:1). God is more concerned with the giver than the gift. Though generous giving is a virtue in Scripture (2 Cor 8:1,2), one should give unto the Lord as an offering of thanksgiving (Ps 116:17). Never should one give with selfish ambition of material prosperity.

Continued in Part Seven