Prosperity Theology - show me the money


Every once in awhile, I turn on the TV and hear a televangelist talking about “Prosperity Theology.”  According to the Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology), Prosperity Theology preaches that God will reward faithful Christians with financial prosperity. While this seems wrong on so many levels, I appreciate the aspect of hope that this message inspires.  Think of it as liberation theology.  Instead of Jews escaping slavery like in ancient Egypt, modern Christians can be free of poverty through their faith.

Let me begin by reflecting on my financial life.  I did not want for anything as a child.  My family lived in a middle-class suburb of Chicago.  We did not live extravagantly but we always had food to eat and clothes to wear. There were times when money was scarcer and we shopped at discount stores and bought clothes at the area thrift store (my childhood self cringed at the thought).  As I grew into adulthood, I wanted to continue living the middle-class lifestyle.  I made some financial blunders in the years after high school.  I learned that being in debt sucked and that I never wanted to have a car repossessed again. By working hard and with the help of my parents, I completed my bachelor’s degree debt free. I married a few years later and, pretty much, lived the middle-class way of life. 

Fast forward to the past couple years... I currently live as a single dad and usually live paycheck to paycheck.  My income allows me to pay my bills, afford health insurance, drive a car, keep a cell phone, browse the internet, and watch a handful of cable TV stations.  I have a few luxuries in life despite the debt that I carry.  My middle-class life is behind me.  Sometimes, I feel bummed out and struggle with my lack of expendable income.  I work during the week as an IT Specialist and my job pays better than some. I do not want to complain.  Suffice it to say that I want to live more comfortable than I am. That’s the connection to Prosperity Theology.

Who would not like live more money, especially those who live without the luxuries of modern life in the United States? I’d like to believe that if I have faith in something then I money and prosperity will rain down on me.  Faith in what is the question.  I am not a big fan of consumerism and how it drives me to make and spend money.  That does not stop me from buying things.  I certainly do not presume that because I can afford some small luxury and someone else cannot that I’m better than them.  On the other hand, there’s a part of me that feels envious when I visit a friend who owns a big house in an upscale neighborhood.  How am I supposed to keep up with that?

I want to talk more about this subject later… Thanks for tuning in.

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