Copyright by Bob Rogers.

Prosperity gospel preachers say that God “just wants you to be happy.” They say, “name it, and claim it.” They promise that if you will plant a “seed” of faith by sending them money, God will make your prosperous. They shout, “by His stripes I am healed,” as if Jesus died on the cross to cure your kidney rather than forgive your sin. They say all that a more, but here are the top ten Bible verses you will not hear a prosperity gospel preacher quote. They avoid these like the plague:

10. Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. – Job 13:15

9. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

8. Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. – 1 Peter 4:12

7. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.-  James 1:2

6. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, – Philippians 3:10

5. “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22

4. Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

3. “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33b

2. In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. – 2 Timothy 3:12

1. “Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” – Mark 10:21

These ten verses aren’t used by prosperity preachers because it doesn’t fill the pews or their bank accounts. The king of Israel didn’t like this stuff, either. First Kings 22:8 says the king didn’t like the prophet Micaiah because he never prophesied prosperity for him. Of course, the problem is that prosperity preaching appeals to wrong motives. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Let’s put our treasure in the eternal things of Christ, not the passing pleasures of this world, “where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). When we do, we will have reward in heaven.