Prosperity Gospel: A Crooked Path

Written to Jewish Christians undergoing severe trials and contemplating abandoning their newfound faith in Jesus, the book of Hebrews is one of the most insightful texts in the New Testament. The writer, whose identity is uncertain, emphasizes the superiority of Christ, contrasting Him with the prophets, angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews presents Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, Who, through His sacrifice, fulfilled all requirements of the Old Covenant, establishing a New Covenant between God and humanity. With rich theological depth, Hebrews encourages believers to hold fast to their faith in the face of trials, trusting in Jesus, who suffered and overcame.

The Theme of Suffering in Hebrews 12:1-13

Hebrews 12:1-13 addresses the neglected topic of suffering in the Christian life, describing it as a necessary part of a believer’s journey. This passage reassures believers that trials and challenges are part of God’s design to strengthen, refine, and prepare them for eternity. In today’s world, particularly in Africa, the Prosperity Gospel has become widespread, teaching that faith in Jesus guarantees unending material wealth, health, and success. However, Hebrews 12, along with other Scriptural passages, offers a counter-narrative to this prosperity message by portraying suffering as a means of God’s loving discipline rather than a sign of lack of faith. The result is a theology that embraces both God’s blessings and His shaping through hardship.

Understanding the Prosperity Gospel and Its Flaws

The Prosperity Gospel, also known as the “Health and Wealth Gospel,” teaches that God desires for all His children to live in perpetual physical health, material wealth, and financial success. This doctrine posits that faith, positive declarations, and generous giving to church ministries are the keys to unlocking God’s blessings. Followers are encouraged to see wealth and health as signs of God’s favour, while trials, illness, or financial struggles are viewed as evidence of insufficient faith or a lack of blessing.

The major flaw in the Prosperity Gospel is that it has no theological space for suffering or discipline in the believer’s life. By promoting only a theology of comfort, it ignores Biblical teachings on suffering and discipline, as demonstrated in Hebrews 12, where God’s discipline is shown as part of His loving relationship with His children.

Suffering as Discipline in Hebrews 12

In Hebrews 12, the writer introduces suffering in the life of believers as God’s tool of discipline. In verse 6, it states, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” This discipline is not punishment but a refining process designed to mature believers and draw them closer to God. Verse 10 highlights that this discipline is for our profit, “that we may be partakers of His holiness,” suggesting that it prepares us for eternal life with God.

Verse 11 acknowledges that “no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful,” indicating that discipline is meant to be uncomfortable but is ultimately beneficial. The Prosperity Gospel, focused on providing earthly comfort and material success, completely omits this teaching on discipline. The Prosperity Gospel’s focus on comfort runs contrary to this message, often failing to prepare believers for the realities of hardship, thereby leading many to misunderstand or even reject the concept of God’s loving discipline.

The Anomaly of Prosperity Teaching and the “Weak and Lame” in Verse 13

Hebrews 12:13 advises believers to “make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” When a crooked path like the Prosperity Gospel neglects to address the reality of suffering, it creates a dangerous gap in understanding for believers who experience trials. Without a theology of suffering, many believers are left “weak and lame” in their faith, struggling to reconcile their hardships with the promises of health and wealth preached from the pulpit.

For example, believers facing chronic illness, financial challenges, or family troubles feel abandoned and question their faith because their experiences don’t align with the Prosperity Gospel’s teachings. This discrepancy leads to disillusionment, doubt, or even abandonment of faith, as the Prosperity Gospel provides little support for enduring life’s inevitable hardships.

Biblical Examples of Suffering the Prosperity Gospel Ignores

Because the Prosperity Gospel omits the theology of suffering, its preachers cannot explain instances in Scripture where faithful believers endured hardship. Here are seven examples that defy Prosperity Gospel assumptions:

1. Paul’s Advice to Timothy’s Illness: In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to “no longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” Despite being a committed servant of Christ, Timothy suffered from a persistent health issue, which Paul advised addressing practically, rather than promising miraculous healing.
2. Job’s Suffering: Job was a righteous man who lost everything due to a test permitted by God. The book of Job (chapters 1-2) shows that suffering can occur in the life of the faithful without an immediate explanation, and God’s ultimate purpose may transcend human understanding.
3. Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”: In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” that God allowed to remain despite his pleas for its removal, teaching Paul humility and reliance on God’s grace.
4. The Suffering of the Early Apostles: In Acts 5:41, the apostles rejoiced after being persecuted for their faith, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” This contradicts the idea that believers are exempt from hardship.
5. Paul’s Imprisonments and Hardships: In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul lists numerous trials, including imprisonments, beatings, and perils he endured for the Gospel’s sake. His ministry included suffering, showing that hardship often accompanies faithfulness.
6. David’s Trials before Kingship: Before becoming king, David faced years of hardship, including persecution from Saul (1 Samuel 18-31). His suffering shaped him into the “man after God’s own heart.”
7. The Martyrdom of Stephen: In Acts 7, Stephen, a faithful servant, was stoned to death, marking him as the first Christian martyr. His suffering was not due to a lack of faith but a deep witness of faithfulness.

Conclusion

Hebrews 12:13 and the surrounding verses remind believers that suffering is part of the Christian journey, designed by God to refine and sanctify. The Prosperity Gospel, with its emphasis on health, wealth, and success, ignores this essential Biblical truth, leading many to confusion or weakened faith. True Christian maturity embraces both God’s blessings and His discipline, trusting that the trials we face are part of God’s loving preparation for eternity. The teachings of Hebrews 12 are vital for restoring a Biblical theology of suffering, helping believers remain steadfast and grow strong in their faith despite life’s hardships.