Time magazine’s cover story this month was entitled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” The header said, “A growing number of Protestant evangelicals raise a joyful Yes!” The article opens with the story of George Adams, a man from Ohio who had lost his factory job. His reaction to the job loss was to change churches, but just not any church or another church in the community. He moved with his wife and four young boys to Texas where he could be a part of a large church which meets in a former stadium in Houston. He had heard the pastor say on television: “I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to enjoy our lives.” It’s pretty hard to argue with that. In fact, I believe it — I just don’t think those are God’s priorities for our lives. But to listen to some media preachers you would think that this is at the top of God’s will for all his children. George Adams was convinced, and he moved his family so they could be in a church that believed and taught this kind of prosperity for believers. He said, “I”m dreaming big — because all of heaven is dreaming big.” The article states that many Christians like Adams, influenced by the Prosperity gospel, are asking, “Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?” But how is it that they do not remember that Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
The article quotes many other high profile television preachers. One woman preacher says, “Who would want something where you’re miserable, broke and ugly and you have to muddle through until you get to heaven?” Again, it is
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