The Prosperity Gospel is False – Abusing the Abrahamic Covenant

I was listening to Pastor Wendell Smith’s sermon from 8/19/2007 titled “Get Out” and something he said caught my attention.

He starts the sermon espousing a common theme for prosperity gospel preachers, the covenant of Abraham.  According to prosperity teachers, we are children of Abraham since he is the father of our faith (I agree with this).  Since he is the father of our faith, they conclude we should be partakers of all the promises God made to Abraham.  The scripture used is in Galatians 3.

So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:9

Since we are blessed by believing Abraham, we should expect all the promises Abraham had right?  Prosperity gospel preachers say we can expect to get all the promises God made to Abraham of wealth, lands, those who bless us will be blessed and those who curse us will be cursed, and through us all the nations of the earth will be blessed (thinking of money and the Gospel).  Pastor Wendell says we should replace Abraham’s name with ours when we read the promises God made to him.

The major flaw in this interpretation of Galatians 3:9 is that it ignores the rest of the chapter.  Let me see how Paul defines the blessings to us, and who can expect the rest of the blessings.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Galatians 3:13-14

This scripture defines exactly the blessing of Abraham we receive when we are in Christ Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit.  This is what we get through faith, not cars, not money, not houses, not the things of this world.  We get something much more precious, the Almighty God dwelling within us.  That is the wonderful gift given to us from our Father in heaven.

Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ  Galatians 3:15-16

From this scripture we can see the promises to Abraham are not to all the believers (seeds), they are to Christ Himself (seed).  It is obvious that Christ is the seed that blesses the whole world, and we as Gentile believers are recipients of that blessing.  That blessing is the finished work on the Cross of Christ.

Any attempt to claim all the other blessings from Abraham is a money grab fueled by covetousness.  Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”  Luke 22:20 – why would we think the new covenant in Christ’s blood is not enough and like ungrateful children look back to Egypt for the comforts of the older and inferior covenants?  Jesus fulfilled the promises to Abraham, are we to look for more?  We received the Holy Spirit, greater than any earthly treasure…isn’t that enough?

Paul warned of another gospel in Galatians.  The Galatians were looking to the old and inferior covenants of the Jews, and Paul was not happy.  Isn’t the prosperity gospel just doing the same thing?

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:6-10

Paul said “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.  He never preached to look back to receive more from the old covenants.  I believe he preached quite the contrary, the fulfillment of Christ.

We should be focuses on being in Christ Jesus, not trying to fulfill our earthly ambitions.  Christ and His shed blood is all sufficient for us, we need no other covenant.  More importantly, the scriptures tell us the blessing of Abraham is the Holy Spirit.  We are not to look back through Genesis and attempt to put our name where Abraham’s is.  We have a better covenant in Christ.

Tags: Abrahamic Covenant, Prosperity Gospel, The City Church, Wendell Smith

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