Is the Prosperity Gospel Biblical?

Teachers of the prosperity gospel cite 3 John 2CloseBeloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3 John 1:2 · King James VersionOpen source (1), Malachi 3:10CloseBring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.Malachi 3:10 · King James VersionOpen source (2), Deuteronomy 8:18CloseBut thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 8:18 · King James VersionOpen source (3), Mark 11:23–24Close^11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ^11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.Mark 11:23–24 · King James VersionOpen source (4), and John 10:10CloseThe thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.John 10:10 · King James VersionOpen source (5). Churches that reject the teaching cite 1 Timothy 6:5–10Close^6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ^6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. ^6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ^6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ^6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ^6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:5–10 · King James VersionOpen source (6), Matthew 6:19–24Close^6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ^6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ^6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ^6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. ^6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! ^6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 6:19–24 · King James VersionOpen source (7), and Hebrews 11:35–38Close^11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ^11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ^11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ^11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.Hebrews 11:35–38 · King James VersionOpen source (8). Each of those sentences has a paragraph around it. Cape Town (10) asks churches to read the first list in that full context. This page does that reading, and it records what the teachers say they are doing with the verses. It does not decide the dispute.

Key points

• 3 John 2CloseBeloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3 John 1:2 · King James VersionOpen source (1) is a wish that Gaius may prosper and be in health, even as his soul prospers. Verses 3 and 4 say the joy is that Gaius walks in the truth. Verses 5 through 8 are about receiving traveling brothers.
• Malachi 3:8–10Close^3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. ^3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. ^3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.Malachi 3:8–10 · King James VersionOpen source (2) accuses Israel of robbing God in tithes and offerings, and tells them to bring the tithes into the storehouse so that there is food in God’s house.
• Deuteronomy 8:17–18Close^8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. ^8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 8:17–18 · King James VersionOpen source (3) forbids Israel to say that their own power got the wealth. The power to get wealth is the LORD’s, to establish the covenant with their fathers. Verse 11 tells them not to forget the LORD when they are full.
• Mark 11:23–24Close^11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ^11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.Mark 11:23–24 · King James VersionOpen source (4) is Jesus, after the fig tree and the temple, telling the disciples to have faith in God, to speak to this mountain, and to believe when they pray. Verse 25 tells them to forgive when they stand praying. Kenneth Copeland Ministries (9) tell the reader to speak that way to a mountain in the reader’s life, and say Jesus said they can have whatever they say.
• John 10:10CloseThe thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.John 10:10 · King James VersionOpen source (5) is Jesus contrasting the thief, who steals and kills, with his coming that the sheep may have life, and have it more abundantly. Verse 11 says the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
• 1 Timothy 6:5ClosePerverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.1 Timothy 6:5 · King James VersionOpen source (6) names people who suppose that gain is godliness. Verse 6 says godliness with contentment is great gain. Verses 9 and 10 are about those who will be rich, and about the love of money.
• Matthew 6:24CloseNo man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 6:24 · King James VersionOpen source (7) says no one can serve God and mammon. Hebrews 11:35–38Close^11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ^11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ^11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ^11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.Hebrews 11:35–38 · King James VersionOpen source (8) lists people who through faith were tortured, destitute, and killed, of whom the world was not worthy.

A concession before the verses

James 5:14–15Close^5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ^5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.James 5:14–15 · King James VersionOpen source tells a sick person to call the elders of the church and says the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. Matthew 6:11CloseGive us this day our daily bread.Matthew 6:11 · King James VersionOpen source tells disciples to ask for daily bread. The Assemblies of God say healing and material needs are among the provisions received through faith. Cape Town (10) says the Bible includes health and wealth in its teaching about the blessing of God. The argument is not whether a Christian may pray for healing or for bread. The argument is whether the verses below teach that a spoken confession or a sown gift obtains a right to health and wealth, and whether sickness and poverty are a failed confession. The teachers’ account of that claim is on What Is Positive Confession? and What Is Seed Faith?.

3 John 2

3 John 2CloseBeloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3 John 1:2 · King James VersionOpen source (1) (King James Version) says:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 John 1:2 · King James Version

The next verses say why the writer is glad. 3 John 3CloseFor I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.3 John 1:3 · King James VersionOpen source says the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in Gaius, even as he walks in the truth. 3 John 4CloseI have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.3 John 1:4 · King James VersionOpen source says the writer has no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in truth. 3 John 5–8 praise Gaius for receiving the brothers and strangers, and tell him to bring them forward on their journey worthily of God, because they went out for the sake of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

The health-and-wealth reading takes “prosper and be in health” as a promise that a believer’s finances and body match a prospering soul. The paragraph itself is a letter’s wish for one man, Gaius, set next to his walking in the truth and his hospitality to traveling preachers. The page that uses this verse as a right obtained by confession is making a second step. The step is not printed in the greeting.

Malachi 3:10

Malachi 3:8CloseWill a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.Malachi 3:8 · King James VersionOpen source says a man has robbed God, and that the robbery is in tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:10CloseBring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.Malachi 3:10 · King James VersionOpen source (2) says:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:10 · King James Version

The storehouse is for food in God’s house. The people addressed are Israel, in a dispute about tithes. Verse 11 says the devourer will be rebuked for their sakes, so that the vine will not cast her fruit before the time. Seed-faith teaching, described on What Is Seed Faith?, hears this as a pattern: give, and a harvest returns to the giver. The verse’s own purpose clause is meat in God’s house, and the test is addressed to a nation that had withheld the tithe. Luke 6:38CloseGive, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.Luke 6:38 · King James VersionOpen source, which Roberts’s teaching also uses, says give and it shall be given unto you, in a sermon about judging, condemning, forgiving, and giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6–7Close^9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ^9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:6–7 · King James VersionOpen source ties sowing and reaping to a collection for the saints, and says the giver should not give grudgingly or of necessity.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Deuteronomy 8:11CloseBeware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:Deuteronomy 8:11 · King James VersionOpen source tells Israel not to forget the LORD by failing to keep his commandments, when they have eaten and are full and have built goodly houses. Deuteronomy 8:17–18Close^8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. ^8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 8:17–18 · King James VersionOpen source (3) says:

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:17–18 · King James Version

The wealth in the chapter is the land and its goods, which God is giving Israel. The warning is against saying that their own hand produced it. Verse 19 says that if they forget the LORD and walk after other gods, they shall perish. A reading that says God gives power to get wealth is using the words of verse 18. A reading that stops before verse 17, or before the covenant and the warning, drops the reason the verse gives. Is Manifesting a Sin? is the different claim, that a person’s thought causes the thing to be created. Deuteronomy 8 says the power is the LORD’s, and it forbids the boast that it is the hearer’s.

Mark 11:23–24

Mark 11:12–14Close^11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: ^11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. ^11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.Mark 11:12–14 · King James VersionOpen source is the fig tree. Mark 11:15–19Close^11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; ^11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. ^11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. ^11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. ^11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.Mark 11:15–19 · King James VersionOpen source is the temple, where Jesus casts out those who sold and bought. The next morning the fig tree is dried up. Mark 11:22–25Close^11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ^11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ^11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ^11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.Mark 11:22–25 · King James VersionOpen source (4) says:

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:22–25 · King James Version

Kenneth Copeland Ministries (9) tell the reader to do as Jesus did and speak to the mountains in the reader’s life, body, relationship, or job, and to believe the thing is removed. The page says Jesus said the reader can have whatever the reader says. That is a real use of “whatsoever he saith” and of “what things soever ye desire, when ye pray.”

The sentences in Mark are spoken to the disciples on the road from the temple and the fig tree. They name prayer, faith in God, and forgiveness of anyone the disciple has something against. They do not name a confession that denies a sickness the person can see, which is the practice Kenyon’s publisher prints and the Assemblies of God describe. James 4:3CloseYe ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.James 4:3 · King James VersionOpen source says people ask and do not receive, because they ask amiss. James 4:15CloseFor that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.James 4:15 · King James VersionOpen source says they ought to say, If the Lord will. The Assemblies of God put that sentence beside Mark 11. Copeland’s page does not.

John 10:10

John 10:9–11Close^10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ^10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ^10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.John 10:9–11 · King James VersionOpen source (5) says:

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:9–11 · King James Version

“More abundantly” sits between the door, the pasture, and the shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. The thief is the contrast, in a chapter about sheep who hear his voice and about a hireling who flees. A health-and-wealth reading hears “abundantly” as prosperity and a body free of sickness. The verse’s own pairing is life, set against stealing, killing, and destroying, and the next clause is the shepherd’s death for the sheep. John 10:28CloseAnd I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.John 10:28 · King James VersionOpen source says they shall never perish, and no one shall pluck them out of his hand.

Godliness and the love of money

1 Timothy 6:5–10Close^6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ^6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. ^6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ^6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ^6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ^6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:5–10 · King James VersionOpen source (6) says:

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:5–10 · King James Version

The supposition Paul tells Timothy to withdraw from is that gain is godliness. The gain he calls great is godliness with contentment. The contentment has a measure in the paragraph: food and clothing. The desire he warns against is the will to be rich. He does not say that money is the root of all evil. He says the love of money is. Deuteronomy 8:18CloseBut thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 8:18 · King James VersionOpen source can stand in the same Bible as this paragraph. One says God gives the power to get wealth, inside a warning not to forget him. The other says a teaching that treats gain as godliness is a reason to withdraw.

Treasure and a master

Matthew 6:19–21Close^6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ^6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ^6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Matthew 6:19–21 · King James VersionOpen source (7) tells the disciples not to lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and says that where their treasure is, there will their heart be also. Matthew 6:24CloseNo man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 6:24 · King James VersionOpen source says no one can serve two masters, and “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” The same sermon, in Matthew 6:11CloseGive us this day our daily bread.Matthew 6:11 · King James VersionOpen source, tells them to ask for daily bread, and in Matthew 6:31–33Close^6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ^6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ^6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Matthew 6:31–33 · King James VersionOpen source tells them not to be anxious about food and clothing and to seek first the kingdom of God. The ban is on a master, and on a heart stored on earth. It is not a ban on bread. The Southern Baptist resolution cited on What Do Churches Say about the Prosperity Gospel? uses this cluster of texts when it says God alone is the supreme treasure, not health or wealth.

Faith that suffers

Hebrews 11:32–35Close^11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ^11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ^11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ^11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:Hebrews 11:32–35 · King James VersionOpen source lists people who through faith subdued kingdoms, stopped lions, and received their dead raised to life. The same sentence continues. Hebrews 11:35–38Close^11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ^11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ^11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ^11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.Hebrews 11:35–38 · King James VersionOpen source (8) says others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection, and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, were stoned, sawn asunder, and slain, and wandered in sheepskins, destitute, afflicted, and tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. Verse 39 says these all obtained a good report through faith and received not the promise.

The Assemblies of God quote this passage against the claim that suffering is a negative confession. The chapter also says some through faith escaped the sword and received their dead back. A page that quotes only the escape, or only the destitution, is not quoting the chapter. Philippians 4:11–13Close^4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ^4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ^4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Philippians 4:11–13 · King James VersionOpen source, on the manifestation page, is Paul’s contentment in hunger and in plenty. That verse is about the state he is in, not about a method for leaving it.

Frequently asked questions

Does this page say the prosperity gospel is false?

The churches quoted on What Do Churches Say about the Prosperity Gospel? use strong words. Cape Town says it can be soberly described as a false gospel. The Southern Baptist messengers resolved to denounce it. Copeland’s page and Kenyon’s publisher present the confession as faith in God’s word. This page sets the cited verses in their chapters. It does not add a verdict.

Is 3 John 2 a promise of money?

It is a wish that Gaius may prosper and be in health as his soul prospers, in a letter that then speaks of his walking in the truth and of lodging the brothers. Whether a church may preach that wish as a general right is the dispute. The verse prints a wish for Gaius.

What is Mark 11 about if it is not “whatever I say”?

Jesus tells the disciples to have faith in God, that the one who says to this mountain, Be removed, and does not doubt, shall have what he says, and that when they pray they should believe they receive. He then tells them to forgive. Copeland’s ministry applies the saying-to-the-mountain to the reader’s life, body, and job. The Assemblies of God say the will of God and the rest of Scripture still govern the request. Both uses are described above. The chapter’s setting is the fig tree, the temple, prayer, and forgiveness.