Earlier this year, the Internet erupted over the fact that televangelist Creflo Dollar was raising funds to buy a $65 million private jet. Non-Christians and Christians alike were critical that the preacher felt he needed the highest-end private jet in order to spread the message of Christ.

Dollar hasn’t given up on his quest, recently claiming that those who criticized him just didn’t understand the Bible.

But Dollar is far from the first pastor to preach the “prosperity gospel.” Earlier this week, on his show Last Week Tonight, comedian John Oliver took on televangelists who promote the idea of “seed faith,” which promises followers that God will richly reward them if they donate to ministries.

This type of minister has infiltrated the ranks of Christianity for decades. Instead of living modestly, you might see them flying on personal jets, wearing expensive suits or residing in a multi-million dollar home.

These preachers spout a mellifluous and charismatic message: God desires His followers to acquire financial riches, experience vibrant health and live comfortable lives.

“Name it; Claim it!” is their mantra. And the number of goodies God doles out—whether in the form of a lucrative job, an increased bank account or even physical healing—depends entirely upon your faith (sometimes shown by how much you’re willing to give first).

Faith is the “currency of heaven,” these preachers claim. It gets God to move. So, the way to gain our heavenly privileges is to search within ourselves and uproot our own unbelief.

There are endless lies with this theology. It results in misplaced hope, a skewed reality and wishful thinking.

Wealth is Not the Goal

God never promises His Followers financial wealth. The Apostle Paul warns the church in Ephesus on this matter: “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10).”

Jesus didn’t die on the cross to be our genie. He knows that while money isn’t bad in and of itself, an excessive amount of money (or things) often harms us. That is why He commands His Followers to “store up treasures in heaven.”

And, as Oliver pointed out, prosperity gospel teachers regularly promise their listeners monetary blessings by donating to their ministry. “Sowing the seed,” is the euphuism preached for you to empty your pocketbook. This scheme will fill someone’s coffer, but probably not yours.

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