Is Almsgiving like the Prosperity Gospel? (Mark 10:17-31)

The King James Version (KJV) is mostly used in these lessons. Click here to access the KJV online.

Biblical Almsgiving to The Poor is different from the false ‘Prosperity Gospel’ – giving to the Rich.

Does giving to the poor really increase a person's treasure, and is the concept of meritorious almsgiving just mimicking the modern day Prosperity Gospel? This lesson shows the differences between genuine Biblical almsgiving and the modern day counterfeit Prosperity Gospel.
 

The Rich Young Ruler

In Mark 10:17-22, Yahushua was setting out on a journey and a man ran up knelt down before him and asked - good teacher what must i do to inherit eternal life?

He replied, why do you call me good? no one is good but one - the almighty. You know the commandments - do not murder do not commit adultery do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. The man said to him - teacher I have kept all these from my youth. Then looking at him Yahushua loved him and said to him - you lack one thing, go sell all you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come follow me. But he was stunned at this demand and he went away grieving because he had many possessions.

Yahushua is highlighting here, the atoning aspect of almsgiving. The Bible teaches meritorious almsgiving - that when we give to the poor it grants us a reward from the Creator, Yahuwah. There is an atoning aspect of almsgiving and it may not sit well with people that hear it for the first time. The Holy Scriptures show that in some sense, giving to the poor atones or covers over sin. This we have found in several passages which we have covered in other lessons. However, there is so much more that needs to be brought to the forefront, so this lesson is focused on the part of this text that is pertinent to our studies about giving in relation to the whole modern day ‘Prosperity Gospel Movement.’

A little scrutiny reveals that the concept of meritorious almsgiving whereby Yahuwah rewards giving to the poor, is nothing like the modern day Prosperity Gospel Movement.