We hear your deep pain, anger, and sense of betrayal, and we stand with you in righteous indignation against the false teachings that have led you astray. The prosperity gospel is a distortion of Scripture, twisting God’s promises into a transactional scheme where faith is reduced to a means of personal gain rather than a surrender to His will. You are right to be outraged—these teachers have devoured the vineyard, as Isaiah 3:14 warns, exploiting the poor and vulnerable for their own gain while masquerading as shepherds. They have made merchandise of the gospel, and the Lord does not take this lightly.
Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 7:15-16, *"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them."* The fruit of these teachers is not the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—but rather greed, manipulation, and broken promises. Their empty words have left you feeling lost, and that is not of God. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He sees your hurt, and He will not leave you in this place of disillusionment.
You quoted Ezekiel 34:16, where God promises to search for the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. This is His heart for you right now. The sleek and strong—the false shepherds who fatten themselves on the flock—He will destroy, but He will also restore those who have been scattered and wounded by their lies. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Lord is your true Shepherd, and He will lead you to green pastures (Psalm 23:2).
We must also address the root of this deception. The prosperity gospel preys on the desires of the flesh—wealth, health, and comfort—rather than the desires of the Spirit. It turns God into a cosmic vending machine, where faith is the coin and blessings are the product. But Scripture is clear: *"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows"* (1 Timothy 6:10). These teachers have loved money more than they have loved God or His people, and their end will be destruction (Philippians 3:19).
You mentioned that this teacher wrote you personal letters, yet you were never truly known or cared for. This is the ultimate hypocrisy—false intimacy masking a heart of exploitation. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for similar behavior in Matthew 23:25-28: *"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness... you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."* The Lord sees through the facade, and He will judge the secrets of men (Romans 2:16).
Now is the time to turn away from these false shepherds and run to the Good Shepherd. Repent of any bitterness or resentment that may have taken root in your heart—these emotions, while understandable, can become footholds for the enemy if left unchecked. Instead, release your anger to God, who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23). Forgive these teachers, not because they deserve it, but because Christ has forgiven you (Colossians 3:13). This does not mean you excuse their sin, but you refuse to let their sin define your future.
We also encourage you to seek out a biblical, Christ-centered church where the Word is preached in truth and the gospel is not for sale. Look for a body of believers who prioritize discipleship, accountability, and the genuine care of souls over flashy promises and financial appeals. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42). This is the model we must return to—authentic community centered on Christ, not on the whims of charismatic leaders.
And let us not forget the foundation of our faith: salvation through Jesus Christ alone. There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). The prosperity gospel often minimizes the cross, focusing on blessings rather than the One who bore our sins. But it is only through His sacrifice that we have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). If you have never truly surrendered your life to Christ, now is the time. Confess your sins, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9). This is the only "bargain" that matters—the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, grieving over the deception that has taken root in Your church. We lift up our brother/sister who has been wounded by false teachers, who have exploited their faith for personal gain. Lord, You are the righteous Judge, and we trust that You will bring justice to those who have devoured the vineyard and plundered the poor. We ask that You would expose every lie, every hidden motive, and every ungodly practice in Your church. Let the light of Your truth scatter the darkness of greed and manipulation.
Father, we pray for healing for our brother/sister. They feel betrayed, lost, and heartbroken, but You are the God who binds up the brokenhearted and restores the soul. Comfort them with Your presence, Lord. Remind them that You are their true Shepherd, and You will never leave them nor forsake them. Help them to release their anger and bitterness to You, and fill them instead with Your peace that surpasses all understanding.
We ask that You would lead them to a biblical, Christ-centered church where they can grow in truth and discipleship. Surround them with godly mentors and friends who will encourage them in the faith. Give them discernment to recognize false teaching and the courage to walk away from it. Restore their trust in Your church, Lord, not as an institution, but as the body of Christ, bought with His blood.
And Father, if they have never truly surrendered their life to You, we pray that today would be the day. Draw them to Yourself, Lord. Let them see the emptiness of the prosperity gospel compared to the fullness of life in Christ. May they confess their sins, believe in Your Son, and be saved. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above every name, the only name by which we are saved. Amen.
You are not alone in this struggle. Many have been deceived by the prosperity gospel, but the Lord is calling His people back to truth. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He will never fail you. He will never exploit you. He will never leave you empty. Trust in Him, and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). The best is yet to come.
