Dear Chuck, I have been reading about Reverend Paula White, who has been called President Trump’s “spiritual advisor”, and she is apparently in the “prosperity gospel” camp. How do I explain to my friends the error in her theology? Not a Fan of the Prosperity Gospel Dear Not a Fan, I too read the […]
There are two extreme financial teachings in Christian camps today: the Prosperity Gospel and the Poverty Gospel. I believe both are wrong. Those who believe that riches are a sign of God’s blessing advance what is commonly referred to as the Prosperity Gospel. This teaches that you can command God to prosper you financially, that […]
Dear Chuck, I find the conflicting messages among well known preachers and financial experts confusing when it comes to whether I should expect to do well financially if I am in God’s will and following His plan. You turn on the television, and many of the most popular preachers insist that good times are ahead […]
I once heard poverty described as living on the edge of a financial cliff, not knowing from day to day if you will fall over it and be destroyed. This fear and uncertainty can grip the heart of anyone who is living from paycheck to paycheck, juggling the stress of paying debt that is spiraling […]
By Chuck Bentley Myth 1: Money Can Buy Happiness A popular money myth is that money can indeed buy happiness. The saying goes, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness doesn’t know where to shop!” This myth is built upon a belief that our material comfort is the ultimate path to achieve our personal satisfaction in […]
By Chuck Bentley Most of us are looking forward to something that we think will improve our contentment. Have you given thought to what would immediately increase your personal contentment? A better car? A better job? Maybe just a raise? A long vacation? How about becoming debt free? I understand that our financial condition can […]
By Chuck Bentley Having just returned from a conference in Zimbabwe, I had the opportunity to get to know many who are living in poverty and great lack. In addition to very few jobs, very low income, limited access to comforts and what we consider the basic necessities, even enduring unspeakable hardships under the cruel […]
By Chuck Bentley It is hard to believe that it took a humanist composer to point out the weaknesses and flaws in the modern methods typically used to counteract poverty. Peter Buffet created an uproar when he famously coined a term in a New York Times article — “the charitable industrial complex” — and declared, […]
By Chuck Bentley—WashingtonTimes.com—Monday, December 24, 2012 Killing incentive to give will hurt the poor, not the rich. A fundamental misunderstanding of the Robin Hood legend in the current discussion of tax policy undergirds a mistaken idea, too rarely evaluated—that hurting the “rich” helps the “poor.” Right now, this is played out in proposals to reduce […]