Lord’s Library compares the Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. the health and wealth gospel to showcase Christ’s Finished Work of salvation.
At the heart of Christianity lies one Gospel—the Good News that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is a message of redemption and mercy, not reward through merit. Yet throughout history, counterfeit gospels have emerged, distorting this truth and substituting man’s effort, emotion, or earthly gain for God’s unearned grace.
From the health and wealth gospel that equates faith with material prosperity, to other false teachings that add works or worldly success to salvation, these distortions turn eyes from Christ’s sufficiency to human striving. This contrasts the true Gospel of grace with an imitation, revealing how only the Finished Work of Christ saves—and how every other message, no matter how appealing, ultimately leads away from the Cross.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. the Health and Wealth Gospel
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus as the Messiah, Savior, and Son of God. It encompasses His life, teachings, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, offering the promise of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and reconciliation with God to all who believe. See the following key Bible verses, which paint a vivid picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse is perhaps the most well-known passage in the Bible, succinctly summarizing the essence of the Gospel. It showcases God’s love, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the condition of faith leading to eternal life.
- Mark 1:14-15: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Christ begins His ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling for repentance and faith in the Gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the core elements of the Gospel: Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection, all in accordance with the Scriptures.
- Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Here, Paul underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and its universal applicability, offering salvation to all who believe.
- Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This verse emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the necessity of faith in His name for eternal life.
The Health and Wealth Gospel
Often referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel teaches that God rewards faith with financial prosperity or physical health. This false doctrine implies that wealth and health are signs of God’s favor and that their absence may indicate insufficient faith. However, such teachings contrast with the Christian doctrines of salvation by grace through faith, the role of suffering, and the teachings of Christ about wealth and prosperity.
Proponents of the health and wealth gospel inadvertently (or purposefully) propose that faith can directly influence an individual’s material circumstances and that financial or physical blessings are always God’s Will for His followers. This perspective often cites Scriptures like 3 John 1:2 as a foundation point: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Proponents interpret this personal greeting as a universal promise while ignoring the broader Scriptural context with designs on spiritual well-being over material wealth.
The doctrine of salvation taught in the Bible is based on grace and not on righteous works or faith’s ability to produce wealth. See Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Here, one can clearly articulate that salvation is unconditionally a gift from God. The insistence on faith as a tool to gain material wealth is not only unbiblical but also diminishes the true essence of faith, which is trust in God regardless of circumstances.
The New Testament frequently highlights the important role of suffering in the Christian life, which the Health and Wealth Gospel neglects. See Philippians 1:29: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” This Scripture shows that suffering is an integral part of the Christian life, often used by God to refine and strengthen believers’ faith. See Psalms 119:50, 67, 71, and 75:
- Psalms 119:50: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- Psalms 119:67: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”
- Psalms 119:71: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
- Psalms 119:75: “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.”
The Apostle Paul’s experiences also provide a counterpoint to the false promises of the prosperity gospel in 2 Corinthians 11:27: “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Paul’s life exemplifies that apostolic faith can coincide with material lack and physical suffering, disproving the claim that faith always results in health and wealth.
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
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