Here's what the prosperity gospel looks like in actual preaching:
I have to agree with Piper--the prosperity gospel is excrement! I really don't understand how Osteen can read Acts and Paul's letters and preach this stuff. Jesus, the Son of God was tortured to death. Peter and John were proclaiming God's Word when they were imprisoned and beaten. Stephen was in the center of God's will when he was stoned to death. Paul was beaten with rods, whipped five times (195 lashes), imprisoned several times, shipwrecked, and sometimes went without adequate food, water and clothing (2 Cor. 11:23-28).
Does God want the best for us? Certainly. And some day he will wipe away every tear. But in the mean time, he wants us to be faithful even in the midst of the most horrible circumstances.
