Pastor, Don’t Assume a Good Theology of Money

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Good news and bad news

First for the good news; according to studies through Lifeway Research only 8% of Protestant pastors in the U.S. believe in the prosperity gospel, the belief that our good works are a means of earning financial prosperity from God. Even better, 90% of Protestant pastors actively confess that they are against this teaching. 0% in favor is ideal, but this is still good news; the overwhelming position of Protestant pastors in the United States is against the broadest teachings of the prosperity gospel.

Now for the bad news. While pastors are against this teaching, nearly half (45%) of congregants connect their works to material blessings from God. Even more troubling is that this number is almost double from a similar study done in 2017, meaning more and more congregants are falling prey to the erroneous teaching of “health and wealth.”

Assumptions are dangerous

How do we make sense of this? The number of pastors proclaiming the “prosperity gospel” are diminishing, and yet the number of Christians affirming the “prosperity gospel” is on the rise. This correlation is opposite of what we should expect to be true.

While we can never truly know the reason for this opposite correlation, here is my hunch. Most pastors assume their congregations have biblical views concerning money. Considering that money is already a “touchy” subject from the pulpit, most pastors are glad to settle with assumptions, instead of taking a more proactive position that compels pastor to address the issue head on. 

Yet assumptions are dangerous, especially when assumptions concern matters of Christian orthodoxy. The research speaks for itself. The reality is that people are learning a theology of money. It’s not a matter of if they will learn, but who they will learn from. The research shows people are learning, just not from their local pastor. The results of this study is a sobering call that pastors need to wake up and begin to reengage the “prosperity gospel” by teaching on it directly.

God and money

According to Randy Alcorn the Bible speaks on money over 800 times which makes it a significant theme throughout the scriptures. Whether the issue is culturally perceived as “touchy” or not, the sheer amount of times the scriptures address money demands that faithful pastors must engage the topic. And not distant engagement, but pastors need to take the issue head on in the pulpit. In the same way that pastors cannot assume orthodox views on doctrines like Christology, nor on cultural hot topics like sexuality, pastors must not assume correct views on money. 

Jesus is quite clear, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) If the goal of the Christian life is to have a heart for God (Matthew 22:37) then pastors must understand that the topic of money is directly connected to a heart for God. The grave danger of the “prosperity gospel” is that in the name of God, one develops a greater heart for money as opposed to God himself.

God is reduced to the means of gaining something better. God becomes a tool, not the ends. As Jonathan Edwards says, “The great end of God’s works… is indeed but one; and this one end is most properly and comprehensively called, the glory of God.” When expressed in these simple terms we understand that the prosperity gospel is not a simple misunderstanding, but rather a grave heresy that elevates money above God’s glory, and therefore this heresy must be thrown into the pit of hell.

Preach and teach

Fellow pastors, I’m thankful that you believe the right things, but apparently a significant portion our people do not affirm what we believe. Here are three points of proactive application.

First: preach through books of the Bible

The best way to cover every point of doctrine in the Christian life is to preach on everything that God has given to us in his word. Preaching straight through books of the Bible is the easiest path to this goal. Expositional preaching keeps us from avoiding “touchy” subjects likes money. If you preach straight through from Genesis and end in Revelation, the topic of money will be addressed 800 times. That’s a great start to overcoming the prosperity gospel.

Second: a small sermon series on money here and there can be helpful

I’ve found that faithful expository preaching ought to be the regular preaching diet of a church, but I’m sure all of us on occasion have done smaller series for important scriptural themes: a few weeks on prayer or a Sunday devoted to world missions. For me, highlighting important themes does not replace preaching through books, but can be a nice break throughout the year.

Again, considering the sheer amount of times the Bible addresses money, and considering the report that the prosperity gospel is again on the rise, why not preach a short sermon series on money? And when you do a money series, do so during a non-budget crunch season in the church. The last thing you want is the sermon series to sound like a pitch for the building campaign or the budget shortfall. Preach the series when finances are healthy to clear the air that this is a Bible issue—not as a budget ask.

Third: a strong church has teaching opportunities outside of the sermon

Small groups, Sunday School classes, and book studies are effective avenues of teaching a congregation. Again, the Bible addresses money. So then should the church. Utilize the various teaching opportunities throughout the week to give your people a Biblical framework for money. Randy Alcorn, John Piper, and Dave Ramsey all have excellent material that our churches can work from. Utilize brothers that have already done the leg work for us.

When the topic of money is handled honestly and responsibly from the scriptures, the average Christian won’t be frustrated, but thankful. God’s people actually want to know what God thinks and how his people are to live accordingly. Give your people what they want and need to know. This is your pastoral call. Because if you do not teach your people, someone else will. And the research is showing that someone else is already tragically teaching a false view of money. Pastors must do better. Pastor, don’t assume your people are thinking Biblically about money. Be proactive. The prosperity gospel will be defeated only through faithful pastors fulfilling their call.

© 2025, Jonathan Saunders. All rights reserved. Used with permission.