Dealing with the “Prosperity Gospel” Verses of the Bible

There has been a huge reaction against the Prosperity Gospel pedaled by religious charlatans over TV and other media forms.

“We do not give to get!” is the response.

However, some uncomfortable passages of scripture seem to support Prosperity Gospel thinking, and it is appropriate for us to address them.

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10) 

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-12) 

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38). 

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6).

 Now, we can take several approaches. We can argue that the Old Testament passages do not apply to us, only to Israel. …

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