The Gospel of Prosperity: Does Wealth Mean You're Blessed?

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"To be broke means you lack," shouts Dollar from the stage, filled with a modern choir and five-piece band, including violinist. Overhead hangs a huge "World Changers" banner with people of all colors looking fulfilled. There is also a translator for the hearing impared.

Dollar always qualifies prosperity as not just material things, but also love, relationships and health. "I'll never be broke another day in my life," he commands the audience to say. "Turn to two people and say it."

Two offerings are taken before the reverend began his main sermon, the audience reflecting an almost game-show like atmosphere, as Dollar asked those who experienced "increase this week" to bring up their offerings. Hundreds of blue envelopes flood the air as people wave them madly. "If you have experienced increase this week, and would like to make a first offering, we rejoice."

Richard "Ricke" Williams, 24, a film producer from Patterson, New Jersey has been attending World Changers New York services since September, 2005. "I joined that day," says Williams. "It's been great. I've grown a lot as an individual; I'm a different person."

"Prosperity is key, but not necessarily financial prosperity," continues Williams. "[Rev. Dollar] gets in trouble with the media about this, but he wants us to prosper in our soul, health, family; mentally and spiritually. You can have a million dollars but your family is in disarray. You can have money and not be prosperous. Finances is just one part of it."

There are as many Bible verses to support prosperity as there are to skewer it. Dyson, like many critics of the prosperity churches, points out that many prominent Christians and even Jesus himself, was not a rich man. Dollar, however, points to Biblical titans such as Solomon and David, who were wealthy. For every verse that says it's easier for a camel to get through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven [Mark 10:25] , there is another which states that Jesus came so that "they may have life, and they might have it more abundantly." [John 10:10]

"So now, we have a theology that says that the only way, or the primary way God blesses us is through having a Mercedes or a nice Rolex or some nice diamonds or some nice clothes and a nice place to live," says Dyson. "All that's great, but the question is, is that the unalterable sign of God's blessing? If that's the case, Jesus was the greatest failure as a Christian we've ever seen."

Dyson continues, "Jesus was a revolutionary. Jesus spoke against the common order of the day. Jesus spoke against the status quo. That Jesus didn't go to the White House to try to curry favor. That Jesus spoke prophesy in ways that made leaders uncomfortable, in fact, they wanted to kill him," he says. "We have to ask the question, what are you doing? Do these ministers speak about racism? Do they speak about sexism or homophobia? Do they talk out against the issues of the day? Yes, people call His name, but they're not preaching His gospel."

"[Dollar] doesn't get paid from the church, but from writing his books, his travels and tape sales," states Williams. "Our tithes and offerings stay in the church to build it. If you think about it, he has a huge flock. I realized that [my offerings] are for God. At the point of giving, you give because you love God."

Williams, who says his finances have not necessarily changed, says his soul has in fact prospered since becoming a member of World Changers, and that eventually, when he can correctly apply "the system God works on" he will be blessed on the material plane. As for Mary J. Blige's quote, Williams pretty much agrees.

"She's using very worldly words," he qualifies. "But if you think about it, she's recognizing Him. If they always see you broke, and not prospering and depressed, why would they try to understand [Christianity]? I can see why God wants to see her at her best."