Author: Dr. Friday Ifeanyi Ogbuehi

Abstract:

Some Pentecostal Churches are known for being more interested in the prosperity of their members rather than emphasizing on the salvation messages for the salvation of their souls. There is no gainsaying some Pentecostal Churches have abused the prosperity preaching in the process of reducing the poverty of their members. Therefore, the paper examined the negative impact of prosperity preaching as regards to poverty reduction in the country. It attempted to proffer solution to this anomaly. Primary sources were observations and experience while secondary sources included books, internet materials and newspapers. It used phenomenological approach. The data collected were described and analyzed for easy comprehension. It was discovered that prosperity preaching in some Pentecostal Churches have contributed to the high rate of quest for materialism with its attendant get- rich -quick syndrome. The paper recommended that Pentecostal Prosperity Preachers needed to be guided by the scriptures so that they would overcome the temptation of preaching wrong prosperity messages, thereby deceiving their members.       

Keywords:

Prosperity, Gospel, Pentecostalism, Poverty and Corruption