As someone who has spent decades teaching personal finance matters and being a student of biblical stewardship, I’ve come across a lot of interpretations about money and faith. One of the most pervasive—and concerning—is the “Prosperity Gospel.” At first glance, it sounds appealing: believe in God, have enough faith, and He will bless you with material wealth, health, and success. But as I’ve studied Scripture and walked alongside others on their financial journeys, I’ve come to realize that the Prosperity Gospel is not just misleading—it’s dangerous to our faith.

Here’s why we should stay away from it.

1. It Misrepresents God’s Character

The Prosperity Gospel often paints God as a kind of cosmic vending machine: put in enough faith or obedience, and out comes material blessings. But this idea reduces God’s character to something transactional, ignoring His sovereignty, wisdom, and deeper purposes.

In Scripture, we see a God who blesses His people—but His blessings are not always material. For example, Jesus said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

God’s ultimate blessing isn’t earthly wealth or success; it’s the eternal richness of knowing Him and being part of His kingdom.

2. It Twists Scripture for Personal Gain

One hallmark of Prosperity Gospel teaching is the misuse of Bible verses to promote the idea of guaranteed wealth. Passages like Malachi 3:10 (“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse…”) or John 10:10 (“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”) are often taken out of context to suggest that God promises financial prosperity to all who believe.

But Scripture, when read in context, tells a fuller story. Jesus Himself said:

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

God’s Word doesn’t promise a life free from struggles or financial difficulty. Instead, it promises His presence, peace, and strength in all circumstances.

3. It Focuses on Earthly Rewards Over Eternal Riches

The Prosperity Gospel shifts our focus to temporary, earthly rewards. But Jesus warned against this mindset:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19–20, ESV)

True wealth isn’t found in bank accounts, luxury cars, or big houses—it’s found in a life transformed by Christ and lived for His glory. When we chase after material blessings, we risk losing sight of what truly matters: loving God and loving others.

4. It Creates a False Theology of Suffering

One of the most harmful aspects of the Prosperity Gospel is its implication that suffering or financial struggles are signs of a lack of faith. This teaching can leave believers feeling ashamed, doubting their relationship with God, or questioning His goodness when trials come.

Yet the Bible is full of faithful men and women who faced immense hardship—Job, Paul, and even Jesus Himself. Paul writes:

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” (Philippians 4:11–12, ESV)

God doesn’t promise us a life free from hardship, but He does promise to be with us through it all, shaping us to become more like Christ.

5. It Undermines Generosity and Stewardship

The Prosperity Gospel can distort our view of money, turning it into something we seek for our own benefit rather than a tool to serve others. Biblical stewardship calls us to manage our resources wisely and generously for God’s glory—not to hoard wealth for ourselves.

In Acts, the early church modeled radical generosity:

“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:45, ESV)

When we embrace a biblical view of money, we see it as a means to bless others and advance God’s kingdom, not just a measure of our faith.

A Better Gospel

The true Gospel offers something far better than the Prosperity Gospel ever could: a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Him, we find forgiveness, purpose, and the promise of eternal life. These blessings far outweigh anything money can buy.

Let’s remember the words of Jesus:

“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36, ESV)

Our faith isn’t about what we can get from God—it’s about loving Him, trusting Him, and living for His glory, whether in abundance or in need.

My Thoughts

The Prosperity Gospel is tempting because it appeals to our desire for comfort and success. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to a higher standard—a life of faithfulness, stewardship, and trust in God’s ultimate plan.

Let’s reject teachings that distort God’s Word and instead embrace the true Gospel, which offers joy and peace that no amount of money can provide.

What are your thoughts on this? How can we encourage each other to focus on eternal treasures rather than earthly ones?

Money has always fascinated me. It’s a tool, a resource, and, when used wisely, a blessing. I’ve spent years guiding people toward financial empowerment, but there’s one biblical story that keeps me grounded: the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man in Matthew 19:16–22.

If you’re familiar with the story, you know it’s a sobering one. A wealthy man approaches Jesus and asks, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus responds by pointing him to the commandments, and the young man confidently claims he’s kept them all. But then comes the challenge:

“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

The rich young ruler walks away sorrowful because, as the passage notes, “he had great possessions.”

When I first read this story, it was easy to think, “I’m not like him. I don’t have great possessions.” But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized how much this story speaks to all of us—regardless of how much money we have.

The Grip of Wealth

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that wealth is more than just money in the bank; it’s anything that takes up residence in our hearts. For the rich young ruler, his wealth wasn’t just a possession—it was his identity, his comfort, and his security.

I’ve asked myself: What’s my version of “great possessions”? Is it my career? My reputation? My financial stability? These aren’t bad things in themselves, but when they start to hold me back from fully trusting God, they become obstacles.

Money as a Heart Check

This story forces us to confront a tough question: If Jesus asked me to let go of something precious, would I? For many of us, money is the ultimate heart check. We work hard to save, invest, and build wealth, but it’s easy to forget that everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him.

As someone who advocates financial literacy, I’ve seen how money can either free us or enslave us. The key lies in our relationship with it. Are we using money as a tool to serve God, or is it subtly becoming our master?

Treasure in Heaven

Jesus’ words about treasure in heaven resonate deeply with me. It’s a reminder that true wealth isn’t measured in pesos or dollars—it’s found in the impact we make and the lives we touch. When we give generously, help others, and prioritize God’s kingdom, we’re investing in something eternal.

This doesn’t mean we should neglect wise financial planning. On the contrary, being a good steward of our resources allows us to give and serve more effectively. But it does mean we need to regularly evaluate our priorities. Are we accumulating wealth for ourselves, or are we using it to glorify God?

Walking Away Sorrowful

The part of the story that haunts me is how the rich young ruler walked away. He wanted eternal life, but he wasn’t willing to pay the price. I often wonder: How many times have I walked away from God’s call because it felt too costly?

As I reflect on this, I’m reminded that following Jesus often requires sacrifice. But every time I’ve let go of something I was clinging to—whether it was financial security, pride, or comfort—I’ve found that God’s blessings far outweighed the cost.

My 2 cents

The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler isn’t just about money; it’s about the condition of our hearts. For me, it’s a reminder to hold everything loosely—my finances, my career, my plans—and to trust that God’s plans are always better than mine.

If you’re on a financial journey like I am, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect. What are you holding onto too tightly? What would it look like to trust God more fully with your resources?

Let’s not walk away sorrowful. Instead, let’s walk toward the joy and freedom that come from following Jesus with everything we have.

What’s your “great possession,” and how can you surrender it to God? I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections.

Money has always been a tricky subject for me—equal parts fascination and fear. I’ve tried to be a good steward of my resources, but I’ve often found myself wondering: Am I doing enough? Am I using what I’ve been given wisely? However, I turned to the Bible for wisdom and found myself deeply reflecting on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30.

In the story, a man going on a journey entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money, referred to as “talents.” To one, he gives five talents; to another, two; and to a third, one—each according to their ability. The first two servants invest their talents and double their master’s money, while the third buries his talent in the ground, returning only what was initially given. When the master returns, he praises the first two for their faithfulness and rewards them with even greater responsibility. But the third servant faces harsh judgment for his inaction.

This parable hit me harder than I expected, especially verse 29:

“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

I started asking myself some tough questions: How am I using what God has entrusted to me? Am I multiplying the resources He has given me, or am I burying them out of fear?

Fear vs. Faith

The third servant’s fear resonates with me. He admits in verse 25, “I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.” How often do I let fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of risk—hold me back from making wise financial decisions? I’ve hesitated to invest, avoided starting that side hustle, or even missed opportunities to give generously because I was too focused on “playing it safe.”

But the parable shows that faithfulness isn’t about avoiding risk; it’s about trust and action. The first two servants didn’t know for certain that their investments would succeed, but they acted boldly, trusting that their efforts would honor their master.

Stewardship Is Responsibility

The parable also challenges the way I think about ownership. The talents weren’t the servants’ to keep—they belonged to their master. Similarly, everything I have—my income, my possessions, my skills—ultimately belongs to God. I’m not the owner; I’m the steward.

This perspective has changed how I approach budgeting, saving, and giving. It’s no longer just about what I can do for myself but how I can use my resources to glorify God and bless others. Whether it’s supporting a cause I care about, investing in my family’s future, or even taking time to mentor someone, stewardship extends beyond finances to include all the ways I can use my gifts for good.

A Call to Multiply

The master’s words to the first two servants are both inspiring and convicting:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

I want to hear those words someday. But that requires action. It means looking at what I’ve been given—no matter how small it seems—and asking how I can multiply it. For me, that’s meant learning about investing, setting clear financial goals, and being intentional about generosity.

It’s also meant trusting that God will bless my efforts when I act in faith. I’m learning to let go of the fear of losing and to focus instead on the joy of serving.

Final Thoughts

The Parable of the Talents isn’t just about money—it’s about life. It’s about using everything God has given us—time, skills, resources—for His glory. My personal finance journey isn’t perfect, but this story reminds me that what matters most is faithfulness, not perfection.

So, whether you have five talents, two, or even just one, don’t bury them. Invest them. Use them. Trust that God will multiply what you offer in faith.

And maybe, just maybe, one day we’ll hear those beautiful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

How does this resonate with you? Have you found ways to live out the principles of the Parable of the Talents in your financial journey?