John Oliver Hilariously Exposes a False Gospel

John Oliver is Hilarious

The Daily Show with John Stewart was a brilliant work of news/comedy.  While I didn't always appreciate the broad strokes it painted for comedic purposes, I always laughed.  When you take one of the best writers on the show and give him a full week to put together content, you get comedy magic.  Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has become my favorite news/comedy show.  This week, he addressed the "the prosperity gospel," and it was brilliant.  

John Oliver Points Out Why It is Ridiculous

He reminds us that giving money to manipulate God for a blessing is foolish.  Common sense is enough to show us that God is not a vending machine, and any man who benefits from teaching you to treat him as such is a sheister.  The video is both informative and entertaining. Watch it.  

Jesus Points Out Why the Prosperity Gospel is an Offense to the True Gospel

The fundamental truth of the gospel is that Jesus has paid our sin debts, and salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8).  When you Trust Jesus, you follow Him.  Jesus is the God of creation.  He owns everything, but He chose to become as a servant (Philippians 2), to live as a homeless man (Luke 9:58), and to spend his time with broken people.  Following Jesus doesn't mean you have to be poor, but it does mean that you cannot serve riches.  

Here are some comments from Jesus on the subject:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
— Matthew 6:21
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
— Matthew 19:21
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
— Matthew 6:24
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’” but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
— Matthew 21:12-13

God teaches us that supporting pastors is important thing (1 Timothy 5:17-18), but loving money is antithetical to the gospel.  Giving to get something reveals a false view of God, and ignoring and extorting the poor is possibly the quickest way to ensure damnation (Mathew 25:31ff).  

Photo Credit: Philip Taylor