When Jesus began his teaching he opened by saying, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit” (Matthew 5:3). In another place, Jesus simply said, “Blessed are the poor.” His words in Matthew’s gospel refer to inner brokenness and humility as a blessed condition. Blessed means that they have God’s favor upon them. Jesus words in Luke’s gospel (which …show more content…
But focus on wealth and power is by no means limited to the Catholic Church. Protestants have also compromised their mission with wealth, power and corruption. The high profile recent case involving Jimmy Baker, the former leader of the PTL club on the Pat Robertson Christian Broadcasting Network, stands out as an example of the abuse of wealth and power in the name of Jesus.
Jimmy Baker stood in a line of tradition known for its prosperity teachings. This teaching advocates a prosperity gospel promoting health and wealth as expected results of following Jesus. Prosperity teachings promote the idea that “Christians are entitled to well-being and, because physical and spiritual realities are seen as one inseparable reality, this is interpreted as physical health and economic prosperity” (from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology).
Sadly there are many examples of prosperity teaching in the Church. High profile names of these preachers include Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, and Creflo Dollar. These individuals use the Churches money to live lavishly rich lifestyles and promise their people blessings in return if they give their …show more content…
Prosperity teaching is heard often from television preachers but it contradicts the life and teaching of Jesus.
These negative examples should not discount the countless ways that many followers of Jesus and the Christian Church help those who are poor. The fact that such examples are not as well documented could relate to Jesus’ teaching about not giving in a way for others to see you and praise you. Jesus said, “when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4).
It is worth asking why nations like America, who have had strong and explicit Christian influence, tend to be the most generous in helping with crisis in the world. Conversely, nations lacking in Christian influence tend to be the least generous in helping the