Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
“The African concept of prosperity is significantly different from the American understanding of it. To Americans, prosperity means having a new vehicle or a larger house. To Africans, on the other hand, prosperity means having an adequate meal or access to basic medical care. As we can see from what Jesus taught about prayer, it is completely biblical to pray that God will meet our daily material needs. Therefore, we should resist the tendency to generalize about religious beliefs…”
Daewon Moon in “Pentacostalism in African Christianity” in Lausanne Global Analysis post dated January 2021, Volume 10, Issue 1.
As I prepare to minister online and onsite as travel allows in the days and months to come in places where prosperity gospel has been prevalent, I am trying to study it to learn more in advance. Related to Africa, one of the big things I am finding is a key point noted by Moon above. The American perspective of prosperity is far different than an African understanding. So, I have to resist the temptation to generalize.
In such contexts, many are praying to God for help with basic needs, which is the posture God wants us to take. Alternatively, in America, few appear to trust God for daily provision. Many stockpile surplus funds. What should each of us do? Everywhere, as we approach differences in practices, we must not judge but listen. And as we listen, we must resist the temptation to generalize. Instead, let’s call everyone to faithful stewardship.
This starts with each of us. It’s also what the work of GTP is about globally, and why we support efforts like AfCAA in Africa. Competing theologies like prosperity gospel don’t stand a chance against authentic Christianity when lived out faithfully by national workers in every nation. To support GTP capacity building efforts in Africa, please make a gift in support of AfCAA. We are at $486 toward a $5,000 goal in the next month.