I have a friend who is very involved in a church that teaches through faith “You will be wealthy.” My friend thinks if she has enough faith God will supply her family with everything they need. Please show me scriptures that show God really wants people to work for a living. My friend and her husband have not worked in years and the work that they have had in the past is all self-employed. They cannot support their kids, but will not listen to either friend or family. They are in their forties, so this is not just being “young and dumb.”
The problem with the prosperity gospel as it’s commonly taught is that it puts the focus on man instead of God. It encourages materialism and greed by teaching people that if they put in a little they will get a lot back. This is the opposite of what the Bible teaches.
Jesus did promise that if we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, God in return will see to our needs (Matt. 6:31-34).
He also said that as we give, it will be given to us (Luke 6:38) and that we shouldn’t store anything up here, but to use it all for the Kingdom (Matt. 6:19-21).
Paul wrote that as we sow, so shall we reap (2 Cor. 9:6). He said we can be made rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion (1 Cor. 9:11).
All these verses admonish us to use what we’ve been given for the Kingdom and not try to enrich ourselves but trust Him for everything.
Paul also wrote that those who will not work should not expect to depend on the Church for food (2 Thes. 3:10) and that a man who doesn’t take care of his own family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).
If your friends are waiting for a hand out from God, they’ll be waiting a long time. Better, they should seek the Lord’s direction on a way to earn some money. Then they can put the above promises to work and receive blessings for themselves here while storing up treasure in Heaven at the same time That’s the true prosperity gospel.