You may be asking, what is prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel?
It is the belief that God always wants us to be financially wealthy and physically healthy in this life.
Proponents believe it is a divine right for all believers. Along with that, it is often taught that mentally picturing something we want, such as a new car, then speaking positive words (faith in their teaching) or donating money will actually be the means to move God to give it to us.
Is that in the Bible?
This view stretches the definition of “sin” that Jesus came to atone for to include material poverty or physical sickness in this life. It also teaches that we give in order to get material blessing. They call it “seed” giving sometimes. Usually the “seed” is given to the prosperity teacher!
But this confuses promises about our one day reward in heaven with what God has called us to here on earth in the meanwhile. How do we know? The Bible is very clear on this. Paul wrote,
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (1 Corinthians 12:10)
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. (Philippians 4:11-12)
If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:8)
The writer of Hebrews adds,
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5)
It also confuses promises God made to specific Old Testament saints, such as Abraham, with our own promises in Christ. Our reward is not here on earth! But we have an even better reward waiting for us in heaven. Paul said,
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
The trials Paul went through to serve Christ, which included shipwreck, floggings, starving, not having sufficient clothing or a home he could call his own--he said these were actually producing an eternal reward. And that reward, if put on a scale, would far outweigh what he saw as the “light” and “momentary” afflictions of his life.
It was his heavenly view that enabled him to see these persecutions and trials as “light” and just “momentary” even though they lasted several decades of his life.
Paul certainly knew theology. He certainly knew Scripture. He certainly knew Jesus. He certainly followed Jesus. And he certainly had plenty of faith. So why didn’t he just give a few coins to some church in order to get a bunch of money back? Why didn’t he just speak positive words to God to make God give him material blessings? Why didn’t he just “claim” healing? Because it isn’t how God works.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about a physical sickness he still had, and how he prayed three times for God to heal him, but God’s answer was, No, “My grace is sufficient for you,”
Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
Where is the thorn? In Paul’s flesh, his body.
Why didn’t God heal him? Because God had a plan. Paul’s weakness showed God’s power.
In Galatians 4:13-14 Paul again talks about a physical illness he had,
but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me...
The sickness apparently caused a change of plans in Paul’s travel, resulting in his leading them to faith in Christ and planting the church there! God had a purpose in the pain.
God answers prayer! He answered Paul’s prayer. But as we see, He doesn’t promise to always heal physical sickness now. True faith is following God when he says, “My grace is sufficient for you” and believing that God has a bigger plan!