In defence of the gospel of prosperity

By Mufaro Chamunorwa

The prosperity gospel as a doctrine teaches its believers that unwavering faith, financial seeds and positivity are the key to unlocking material wealth which God intends for all of His children. Lately, the spotlight has been cast on this doctrine due to its growing popularity.

Various critics have emerged from politicians and journalists to the layman. They are all taking shots at the “flamboyant prophets” labelling their act as mere showmanship, their miracles as hoaxes and prophesying acts as mass swindling.  They have been accused of commercialising the church and taking advantage of desperate congregants who are in need of alleviation. The congregants of these charismatic churches have been labelled by some as brainwashed and delusional for parting with their hard earned money as seeds for the seemingly empty promise of large harvests. They have been mocked and ridiculed for funding the often exorbitant and flashy lifestyles of their “Papa” while still languishing in poverty. These same people have been accused of occultism and shunned upon for believing in things like anointing oil and sacrifices.

I could go on and on about all the negativity that has been hurled at these churches. My view however is that all this criticism is uncalled for. To each his own faith. It is the personal decision of those who attend those churches to do so. Who has the right to call someone else delusional? As for the criticism in the doctrine of financial seeds, everyone has their way of spending their money. Another will lavish on a bottle of Johnny Walker, someone else on an expensive dish at Emmanuelle Restaurant. Another will go on a shopping spree. The end result: that particular individual feels better about themselves. So if someone feels good about offering and tithing to church, then really isn’t it ignorant and rather hypocritical to ridicule that?

For some of us in society, there is little else to turn to for hope and reassurance. I will use myself as an example. I am too broke to go to the fancy places. I cannot handle the hangover, headaches, shame and guilt that accompany a night of drinking and club hopping. The power-cuts in our beloved country never afford me the opportunity to follow any soccer season right to the end. The economic challenges we face as a nation are immense. That leaves religion for me, my own opium.

Having attended numerous other churches, a lot of preachers I have listened to seem to believe in the gospel of shaming and condemning sinners to hell. So many of the sermons I have sat through felt like a thorough scolding and a verbal lashing where the preacher seemed as though he wanted to scare me into righteousness. Until I discovered the gospel of prosperity. Every day I walk out of church, I have a spring in my step, a smile on my face and I am ready to face the world. I am believing for my miracle, my transformation and I patiently wait for it. I am ready for the work of Christ in my life, I have confessed all my sins, I am keen on following the path I have been called for and I believe that greatness is ahead of me. All this, I believe at no detriment to anyone or the society.

So upon reading the scathing articles, Tweets and opinion pieces against prophets and their churches, I am left wondering: What is so wrong with going to a church where you are uplifted, inspired and given hope of renewal? My opinion is evidently biased but I pose a question to those who have attacked the gospel of prosperity and its prophets: What have any of the preachers or congregants ever done to you? What have they ever said to you that warrants the abuse and callous insults? To each man his own faith.

A lot of opponents of prosperity gospel quote Matthew 19:24 “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven,” as basis for shunning material worth. This is gross misinterpretation of that verse. It should not be read and contemplated upon in isolation. In the next section of that chapter, the disciple then asks, “Who then can enter heaven” to which Jesus responds “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Evidently getting into heaven is no longer hinged on whether you are wealthy or not, with man, rich or poor, it is impossible. Redemption is through the divine Grace of the Lord and nothing else.

Wealth is not intrinsically evil. It is the devotion gathering wealth, the “love of money” which is not compatible with devotion to Christ. The Christian principles behind abundance, miracles, prophesy, anointing, tithing and seeding are all completely Biblically based. Any flaws that people may point out are not unique to ministers in the gospel of prosperity. These are just weaknesses inherent to all humans. From biblical times, there have been instances of leaders from all sects who have transgressed, abused their power and fallen from grace. None of us are perfect.

Anyway these are just my ramblings. As much as each person is allowed to follow their own faith, each person is allowed their own opinion.