God’s Prosperity vs. Satan’s Prosperity

One thing that annoys me is Christians criticizing the so-called “prosperity gospel" as if it’s a sin to be wealthy. I like what my former pastor Mac Hammond says, “The more money believers have, the less the devil has.” Nevertheless, a man I know recently shared this meme that claims “...the prosperity gospel offers you everything Satan offered Christ." Let’s examine what the devil offered the Lord in Matthew 4…

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 

6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.


It’s true the devil can tempt people with things. Sometime we need to give up items that have become idols in our lives. However, that doesn’t mean things in themselves are bad. I wrote in response to that meme: “I’d rather hear a ‘prosperity gospel’ than a poverty gospel. God is not against us having things as long as the things don't have us.” Then I quoted what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”


How many times does it need to be pointed out that prosperity was God’s idea to begin with? 

Was there lack in the Garden of Eden? No! Will there be poverty in heaven? Of course not! Believers will be walking on streets of gold. Revelation 21:21 talks about each individual gate in the New Jerusalem made out of one pearl. How would you like to see the size of those oysters? 


Some Christians treat “rich” as a four-letter word like profanity. Yet 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Let’s look at more promises of prosperity…


“If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” - Job 36:11


“Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.” - Psalm 25:12-13


“Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” - Psalm 35:27

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10


“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” - 3 John 2


Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” That blessing includes food, protection, and provision. When we’re obedient to the Lord, those things will be given to us with no strings attached.


Psalm 111:5 says, “He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.” One time I was meditating on that verse when a neighbor knocked on my door and gave me a plate of food. The next verse goes on to say, “He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.” Some translations say He gives us the inheritance of the nations. Jesus told us in Luke 19:13 (KJV), “Occupy till I come.” 


Yes, there are many wicked people who are prosperous in material things. But Proverbs 1:32 (KJV) says, “…the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” Eventually, the riches of the ungodly will fall into the hands of those who will use them for good. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”


Whether you are called to the ministry or the marketplace, money is needed to fulfill His plan for your life. So don’t let misguided Christians sell you a bill of goods that it’s wrong to prosper. It’s wrong not wanting to prosper. So let Him bless you and then be ready to be a blessing to others.


“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” - 1 Timothy 6:17-18

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