Are Christians Who Follow Prosperity Christianity Real Christians?

Assuming someone is not a real Christian is not my job. A heretic can be caught up in his heresy due to deception. If in fact they follow the minimally orthodox doctrine, one can only accuse them of being poor Christians, not false Christians at all.

A Claim of Who Is a “Real Christian”

Declarations such as “You aren’t a REAL Christian” are frequently heard, even coming from neo-pagans. However, such statements have no basis in scripture and come close to heresy as they directly contradict Christ’s teachings in the Bible. Ultimately, it is not my place to determine who is a true Christian and who is not.

When Prosperity Becomes a False Gospel

One often-cited belief is that true Christians must prosper, meaning they must be wealthy and healthy. If anyone does not prosper, they cannot be saved. This belief is a form of another gospel and should be outright rejected. When people like a mid-aged lady with a nerve disability are thrown out of a charismatic church after decades of membership for failing to receive healing, it showcases a terrible display of these beliefs. Such actions are not only promoting another gospel but also causing significant grief and exclusion.

The belief that prosperity is a necessary condition for being a true Christian is a common misconception. Being a Christian does not require wealth, poverty, or good health. Someone can be extremely wealthy and healthy, or destitute and in poor health, and still be a true Christian. Such misconceptions are often held by Americans or people from wealthy countries who have been misled about what the Bible truly teaches. True faith comes from understanding the scriptures, not from personal prosperity or lack thereof.

Heart’s True Allegiance: To God or to God’s Gifts?

The essential question here is: where does that person’s heart belong? Is it to God, or to the gifts God provides? When God says no to a person's wishes, does that person abandon faith, or does that person trust in God’s ultimate control over their life? God should be the ultimate goal, and not a means to fulfill one's desires.

If God is not the person's ultimate goal, then that person is simply using God to serve their personal ambitions. God should be the master, not a slave to one's desires. True faith involves a deep understanding and submission to the will of God, not simply the pursuit of personal gain or prosperity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the notion that only those who prosper are true Christians is entirely unfounded and deviates from the teachings of Jesus Christ. True Christians come from all walks of life, and true faith revolves around the heart's allegiance to God, not material wealth or health. Understanding the Bible and its true message is crucial in distinguishing genuine faith from false teachings.