I have known many people who have held to the prosperity gospel, the belief that God blesses every believer with health and wealth. In those conversations I will point out that Jesus and the apostles did not have much money. Where is the biblical example of wealth as a blessing?
Abraham.
They point to Abraham as a blessed man of God who was wealthy. And since in Galatians Paul points to Abraham as our example of faith, God must want us to be wealthy like him.
Wrong.
It is true that Abraham was blessed. It was also true that Abraham was wealthy. But it is false to state that that the blessing was the wealth.
There are two things that are need to put this in proper context:
- Abraham (Abram) was already rich before God called him (Genesis 12). Abraham was probably still a polytheist when he gained his wealth. There is no reason to believe that it was faith in God that resulted in wealth.
- Abraham’s blessing had nothing to do with wealth. The primary blessing was the giving of a son through whom a great nation would come. The other blessing was the land. While this might look like wealth, the land was not really passed on to Abraham in his life. All he received was his grave. The land was something for his descendants to enjoy.
There is absolutely nothing in the Abraham story to suggest that financial wealth was a part of his blessing. Latching on to the story of Abraham really does not help those who hold to the prosperity gospel. It certainly does not provide something that could overturn the clear teaching of the New Testament that warns against desiring wealth.
A very truthful assessment of what God thinks of wealth!
Abraham’s blessing was a son whose seed would produce a Great Nation!
Our great reward will be when we get to Heaven.
Praise God
Thanks for your comment.
Thank you, brother!! I am in an interesting debate with some Catholics on the Catholic Forum and just quoted your article!!
https://forums.catholic.com/t/is-it-theft-to-keep-high-value-items-that-were-abandoned-in-my-home/607523/91
It seems that some of the commenters on here are jumping all over me because they feel that Abraham is proof that God will bless you with financial wealth.
Thanks for letting me know. I have seen Protestants do the same thing. I’m glad it was helpful.
Hi Stephen! What are your thoughts on the following on Abraham and Isaac
“The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.”
Genesis 24:35 NIV
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.”
Genesis 26:12-13 NIV
But there is no indication that is meant as a pattern for our own blessing. And how those patriarchs got rich is very different from how the prosperity gospel preachers tell people to get rich. They did not name it and claim it. In fact Abram got rich before he even had faith.
Hi Stephen! What are your thoughts on the following on Abraham and Isaac
“The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.”
Genesis 24:35 NIV
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.”
Genesis 26:12-13 NIV
Not true. Do your research properly. Avoid confusing people