The Prosperity Gospel Condemns John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles
You can call this the Prosperity Gospel. It is a false Gospel! Why? Because by these standards John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles are shamed and condemned as sinners.
Sean Michael Morris·Oct 3, 2026
Prosperity preachers say that poverty is a curse and riches are a blessing. Endless testimonies are told about strong believers being rewarded with prosperity and unbelievers with poverty. They point to men like Abraham, David, and Solomon as proof because they were rich and this glorified God in the Old Testament. In those days the Kingdom of God was physically in the world. Therefore, God was glorified in the formation of a rich, powerful, and prosperous Kingdom.
Abraham
“And Abram was veryrichin cattle, in silver, and in gold.”— Gen. 13:2
David
“…Thine is theKingdom, O LORD…bothrichesandhonourcome of Thee, and Thou reignest over all;”— 1 Chron. 29:11-12
Solomon
“SokingSolomon exceeded all the kings of the earth forrichesand for wisdom.”— 1 Kings 10:23
Things are different in the New Testament. You may remember that Jesus Christ said, “My Kingdom is not of this world” This is why we were taught to pray, “Thy Kingdom come” Prosperity preachers are omitting these differences and greatly confusing people who have not read the Bible for themselves.
Africans go to Church and they leave thinking that God sees and rewards righteousness with good health, education, job promotion, wealth, and success. Or they are thinking about how God sees and punishes sin with sickness, poor education, bad jobs, poverty, and failure. You can call this the Prosperity Gospel. It is a false Gospel! Why? Because by these standards John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles are shamed and condemned as sinners.
John the Baptist was Poor
Clothes are the most common status symbol of wealth. Nicely dressed prosperity preachers say, “Look at my clothes!”, to shame and condemn unbelievers and sinners. On the contrary, the greatest prophet of all time, John the Baptist, was clothed in the “raiment of camel’s hair” This is rough and unpleasant clothing made from animal hide that was worn by the poorest of people.
“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.”
— Luke 7:25
Kingly prosperity preachers say, “Look at my house!”, while John the Baptist was homeless and lived in the desert Fat prosperity preachers say, “Look at my food!”, while John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey to survive
Jesus Christ was Poor
Jesus Christ was unashamedly homeless and broke by worldly standards Wealthy prosperity preachers say, “Look at my money!”, to shame and condemn unbelievers and sinners. On the contrary, Jesus Christ “became poor” for our sake Looking at the life of Jesus Christ, you learn things like, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” He and the apostles would glean from the fields for food because they were hungry and had no money for lunch Those who wanted to follow Jesus Christ had to discover what it means to pick up your own Cross. This discovery is not easy because the Cross is an instrument of execution.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow Me.”
— Luke 9:23
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
— Luke 9:57-58
Not even the foxes and birds are homeless. These animals have holes and nests while Jesus Christ remained homeless. Those who wished to follow Jesus Christ had to learn what it means to be a humble and holy servant like the famous foot-washing Messiah.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
— John 13:13-15
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
— Luke 22:25-27
Look at the humility! Do you like what you see? This glorifies God. Do you wish to be lordly, princely, and worldly like a King? Or do you wish to be a humble and holy servant? There is so much noise in the world that is distracting you! Some people never see the beauty of Jesus Christ. All the pride, competition, greed, bragging, and boasting! It is shameful.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
— 1 John 2:15
Worldly and fleshly prosperity and pleasure die at the Cross. Jesus Christ said, “I ammeekandlowlyin heart” He is the one and only example whom everyone should follow. Jesus Christ was not a nicely dressed and handsome Man that attracted worldly people in physical appearance. King Herod mocked Him! Governor Pilate ignored Him! All the rulers of the Jews despised Him! Why? “He hath noformnorcomeliness; and when we shall see him, there is nobeautythat we shoulddesirehim.” Prosperity preachers are counted among the number.
“Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?”
— Luke 6:39
Proud prosperity preachers say, “Look at my car!”, to shame and condemn unbelievers and sinners. The sinless Son of God didn’t have transportation most of the time. He walked! His sandals were soiled in the hardships of the common man. The time finally came for Jerusalem to receive Jesus Christ as her King. And Jesus didn’t ride into Jerusalem on the finest chariot with stallion horses in a kingly manner. Rather, the Lord of Glory presented Himself to Jerusalem in humility and meekness by riding upon a lowly donkey.
“Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
— Matt. 21:5
The Son of God chose to be poor. He drew a line in the sand before the public by proclaiming woes upon the rich and blessings upon the poor without apology Why? Because it is nearly impossible for rich men to be saved Because God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith We should be of the same mind as Jesus Christ.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
— Php. 2:5-8
Feel the force of this divine commandment: “Let thismindbe in you…” (Php. 2:5). Jesus Christ is the Image of Christian conformity All other worldly ambitions should be forsaken in pursuit of becoming like Jesus Christ, who is the definition of Christianity.
The Apostles were Poor
The apostles were ordained and sent to preach as penniless preachers. Literally, the Messiah would not allow them to take money with them on their missionary journeys The mighty apostles were poor men sent to preach to poor people the eternal riches of Jesus Christ. Their stated intention was to preach the Gospel to the poor And when they encountered beggars, the apostles freely gave whatever they had.
“And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
— Acts 3:2-6
Look on Peter! Look on John! Do they look like rich men? Are they nicely dressed like noblemen? Does it look like they are carrying silver and gold on their person like a wise man of the world? No. These are poor men. The beggar could see it. Look on them! Do you see it?
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence.”
— 1 Cor. 1:26-29
The apostles cherished every opportunity to suffer because they believed we all must “follow His steps” They were not strange, monkish, or ascetic. They didn’t pursue suffering for the sake of suffering. They were followers of Jesus Christ who believed the servant is not greater than the Master They knew that boldly preaching the Word of God to sinners would occasion these things. They lived sacrificially to reach as many sinners as possible.
After the Day of Pentecost, as thousands of people converted to Christ and sat under the apostles’ doctrine, we can see that the early Christians followed the teachings of Jesus from the heart. The average Christian wasn’t strange, monkish, or ascetic. They were hardworking and productive members of society, and they were content to have their necessities met They were not slavishly driven to succeed in hot pursuit of prosperity. They worked with their own hands as responsible breadwinners They had their own lands, houses, possessions, and financial autonomy, and as the needs presented themselves, they gave generously.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
— Acts 2:42-47
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common…Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostle’s feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
— Acts 4:32, 34-45
Some people got converted as rich men Most were converted as poor men. They all lived generously and sacrificially in love Rich men lived humbly like poor men for the cause of Christ Everyone knew you couldn’t serve God and money.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
— 1 Tim. 6:8
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
— Matt. 6:24
The ways of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles were clear to everyone. Going back to worldly ways of greed and selfishness was not tolerated in biblical Christianity. This much is clear in The people aimed to be “rich toward God” in spiritual things That is to say, “godlinesswithcontentmentis greatgain” Christlikeness with contentment is spiritual prosperity. This is the body and soul prosperity that the apostles wished for all people
The hungry, thirsty, and homeless apostles spread the Gospel around the world “aspoor, yet making manyrich; as havingnothing, and yetpossessing all things.” These happy, holy, and heavenly men were a spectacle to behold Now, this is the conclusion of the whole matter: The Cross is the end of worldly and fleshly prosperity. You must die to live! Simultaneously, the Cross is a new beginning of spiritual and eternal prosperity in Christ. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
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