There’s a stark divide between pastors and congregants when it comes to the so-called prosperity gospel, according to a Faithwire report on newly released research.
It says there are somewhat different understandings and assumptions about the prosperity gospel as opposed to tithing in line with what the Scriptures say, without any expectations.
Christian church support ministry Lifeway Research defines the prosperity gospel as a “theological movement that teaches God wants to make followers materially wealthy and will do so if individuals hold certain beliefs or perform specific actions.”
Its survey of around 1,000 American pastors found just 8% of preachers embrace such an ideology.
“They believe individuals must do something for God in order to receive material blessings from Him,” Lifeway Research noted.
“Nine out of 10 [pastors] disagree with that [doctrine], including 74% who disagree strongly,” it added.
The survey revealed 18% of pastors said their churches teach that God will bless a giver if he or she gives more money to the church, with 79% disagreeing.
It found far more disagreement over whether the Lord wants people to be financially prosperous — with 37% agreeing and 59% disagreeing.
The research found that pastors with a church attendance of 250 or more were among the “least likely” to reject the idea their church sees a tie between giving money and God’s blessings.
It concluded these leaders were also more likely (52%) to see God as wanting people to prosper in their finances.
A 2022 Lifeway Research study found some disparities in how churchgoers view the issue.
It discovered that 45% of Protestant churchgoers believed they had to do something to “receive material blessings from God” — a huge increase on the 26% who supported that view in 2017.
More than half of the congregants surveyed (52%) believed their church taught that blessings will come if they dole out more money to the church.
More than three quarters (76%) believed God wanted them to become financially prosperous.
Executive director of Lifeway Research, Scott McConnell concluded the disconnect shows that preachers might not be the source of prosperity gospel beliefs among congregants, and that these ideals might be coming from somewhere else.
“The big gap likely also means pastors are not teaching the reasons for their own convictions on the subject,” he added.
Many pastors referred to2 Corinthians 9:6-8 in their teaching:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
