Before we can verify whether this statement is true or not, we would first have to define what the “prosperity gospel” is. There is no universally agreed upon meaning for this term, but if I were to attempt to steel man it, I would say that it means:

 

God gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17).

 

That believers inherit the earth (Psalm 25:12-13, 37:9, 37:11, Matt 5:5).

 

That Christ was made poor so that through His poverty we could be abundantly supplied (2 Cor 8:9).

 

That those who forsake all to follow Christ will receive houses and lands NOW in this life (Mk 10:29-30).

 

That all things are ours. Not just spiritual things. But all things. And not just future, but things present as well (1 Cor 3:22). 

 

That with Jesus, God gives us everything else freely (Rom 8:32).

 

That those who are in Christ will be given power over the nations (Rev 2:26).

 

That we are co heirs with Christ of whom the kingdoms of this world have become His (Rom 8:17, Rev 11:15).

 

Now that we have a working definition for the term “prosperity gospel”, let’s take look at what Satan offered Jesus:

 

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Matt 4:8-9

 

Admittedly, this does sound similar to what we just read in the previous passages but . . . So what?

The fact of the matter is, these things are indeed ours in Christ because the Scriptures say that they are. Attempting to tie the truth to something negative isn’t going to change that.

 

Besides, if there is one attribute of the devil that is nearly universally agreed upon, it’s that he offers an inferior counterfeit to the genuine. 

 

Some may claim that I’ve taken Scripture out of context or that I have “a poor hermeneutic”—-I get that a lot. 

 

Check out our videos on “context” in our Starter Pack to see our response.