Finding True Hope Beyond the Prosperity Gospel with John Cortines

Many believers wrestle with a quiet but important question: If I truly follow Christ, shouldn’t life go better for me? It’s a tension that often surfaces when life doesn’t unfold as expected—when financial strain, illness, or hardship interrupts our plans. At the heart of that struggle is a deeper issue: how we understand God’s promises and what we believe the Christian life is meant to produce. In today’s conversation with John Cortines, Director of Partnership and Growth at the McClellan Foundation, we explored how the “prosperity gospel” shapes this conversation—and how Scripture offers a better, more faithful perspective. What Is the Prosperity Gospel? At its core, the prosperity gospel teaches that your spiritual standing can be measured by your circumstances—your health, your wealth, and your overall success. It suggests that if you have enough faith, say the right things, or give to the right causes, you can unlock God’s blessings in tangible, immediate ways. But here’s the problem: while this teaching begins with a partial truth—that God loves us and is actively involved in our lives—it stretches that truth beyond what Scripture actually promises. Instead of seeing blessings as gifts, it turns them into indicators of spiritual success. Blessings Are Real—But Not Guaranteed The Bible clearly affirms that God gives good gifts. We see provision, healing, and abundance throughout Scripture. But it never presents these as guarantees or as proof of God’s favor. That distinction matters. When we experience abundance, we should respond with gratitude—not entitlement. And when we walk through hardship, we’re not outside of God’s care. Our ultimate security isn’t found in changing circumstances—it’s found in Christ and the eternal hope we have in Him. When Giving Becomes Manipulation One of the most dangerous expressions of prosperity teaching shows up in how it approaches generosity. Instead of being an act of worship, giving can become transactional: Give this amount, and you’ll receive a blessing. Your financial hardship may be because you haven’t given enough. But Scripture points us in a very different direction. 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” True generosity flows from gratitude—not pressure or fear. A Distorted View of God At its deepest level, the prosperity gospel shifts our focus away from Christ and onto ourselves. It subtly replaces grace with performance: Instead of trusting in Christ’s finished work, we begin trusting in what we do. Instead of receiving from God, we try to earn from Him. Historically, this mirrors ancient systems where people offered sacrifices to secure favor or blessing. The message becomes: Do the right things, and you’ll get the right results. But the gospel says something entirely different: Christ has already secured what we could never earn. What Happens When Hardship Comes? This is where the consequences become painfully clear. When someone embraces a prosperity-centered view and then faces loss—whether financial, physical, or relational—they’re often left with confusion and guilt: Did I not have enough faith? Did I not give enough? Is God punishing me? But Jesus speaks plainly in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble.” Hardship is not evidence of failure. It is part of life in a fallen world—and often a place where God deepens our faith. Scripture gives us a far more balanced and honest picture of the Christian life. Abraham and David experienced seasons of great wealth. The apostles faced poverty, persecution, and even death. The early church endured hardship. And Jesus Himself—though rich—became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). Faithfulness is not measured by comfort. It is measured by trust. Finding Joy in the Midst of Trials So how do we respond when life is hard? John Cortines offers a helpful framework using the word JOY: J — Jesus went first. He understands suffering from the inside. He experienced loss, injustice, and pain. O — Orient your heart. Bring your fears and anxieties to God. Anchor your hope beyond this life. Y — Yes to His purposes. Ask boldly for provision and healing—but trust God’s wisdom in the outcome. As James 1:2 reminds us: “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Joy isn’t found in escaping hardship—it’s found in trusting Christ through it. If you’re walking through a difficult season, hear this clearly: Your suffering does not mean God has abandoned you. The cross is the center of our faith—a place where God’s love was revealed through suffering, not the absence of it. Often, it’s in the hardest moments that God’s presence becomes most real. From Pressure to Privilege Finally, for those in seasons of abundance, Scripture offers a beautiful invitation. Generosity is not driven by guilt or obligation—it’s rooted in the example of Jesus. He gave everything for us. And when we give—whether out of little or much—we participate in His work in the world. It’s not “I have to give.” It’s “I get to be part of what God is doing.” The prosperity gospel measures God’s love by our circumstances. But Scripture calls us to something deeper: to anchor our hope in Christ—trusting Him in both abundance and hardship. Because following Jesus doesn’t guarantee a life of ease, but it does promise something far greater: His presence, His purpose, and an eternal hope that cannot be shaken. Learn More If you’d like to go deeper on this topic, you can read more in John Cortines’ article, Joy Through Trials, in the latest issue of Faithful Steward magazine. And if you’d like to receive Faithful Steward each quarter, just consider becoming a FaithFi Partner when you give $35 a month or $400 a year. You can learn more at FaithFi.com/Partner. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have adult children who aren’t financially responsible. Should I take out life insurance on them to provide for their children, and how much coverage would make sense? Should I invest more in my rental properties right now or sell and pay off my mortgages? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Joy Through Trials (Article by John Cortines in Faithful Steward Magazine, Issue 5) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.