I’ve noticed a tendency between the U.S. and Africa; it’s a different kind of poverty. I don’t know what I can do about it yet but I do think it’s something worth bringing attention to just as much as any other kind of poverty. Oftentimes we talk about it but I’m not sure if I’ve read anything on it or heard anyone preach on it (probably because I just haven’t youtubed any debates on it yet). What I’m talking about is prosperity gospel. BUM BUM BUM!
Yeah, I really don’t like it, and it’s rampant all over the world, particularly poor areas. Straight up, I think one answer to fixing the problem of prosperity gospel is telling folks about God’s purpose for us, and preaching the importance of seeking that out. Even writing this I feel a little crass but bear with me because I never write this kind of ranting blog.
I think when we hear prosperity gospel and actually call it out after a sermon, a lot of folks like to cover it up with, “I think the preacher was just trying to get a message of hope across to the people,” when really it reeked of hope for a better material life. Which, to me, has nothing to do with the Gospel. Now this of course is from the mouth of someone who has a fairly strong Baptist background who expects to feel a little conviction after every Sunday sermon, (and still isn’t quite used to Pentecostal services) but when you’re listing off praises and prayer requests at the beginning of each service and the praises for new cars and new wedding engagements get significantly louder praises than those of two folks who just got saved last week, something ain’t exactly kosher.
When I think of a hope I want to give to people, what comes to mind is the Christ that talks about leaving everything (that means even material stuff) and following Him. He died for our sins, rose to live again, gave us the Holy Spirit of God, and gives us direct access to the Heavenly Father 24/7. Now what that means to me is that when we really dive into the Father, He reveals to us what the TRUE desires of our hearts are (especially since He made them). Part of me really thinks that when David was writing Psalm 37:4 he was referring to desires that God will use to further His purpose.
Often when I feel that pastors are using that verse with this kind of materialistic hope in mind, I catch myself thinking, “Oh yeah? Tell that to Paul, Peter, and Stephen. I’m not sure if they got that memo.” What I want you to take away from this blog is not the fact that I don’t like the prosperity gospel, but the importance of seeking out God’s purpose for your life. When you decide to run after that, I think, is when God fulfills those desires.
Be Blessed,
Steven Buffington
