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Lesson 2: Is Criticism of Hyper-prosperity Theology Demonic? Exploring Psalm 112 - Student Handout

Writer's picture: Bradley SliedrechtBradley Sliedrecht

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Lesson Objective: By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Understand Psalm 112 in its historical, cultural, and theological context.

  • Recognize the dangers of misinterpreting Scripture for personal gain.

  • Appreciate the holistic blessings of living in obedience to God.

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  1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes).

    Thank God for the opportunity to study His Word and ask for wisdom, clarity, and discernment as you examine Scripture.

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  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

    Summary of the Topic: Advocates of hyper-prosperity theology often claim that critics of their message are attacking God’s blessings and misrepresenting God’s provision. They cite passages like Psalm 112:1-3 to defend financial wealth as a divine blessing.

 

  • Key Focus for the Lesson:

    • Does the Bible equate financial wealth with righteousness or God’s favor?

    • How should Christians respond to teachings that emphasize material prosperity?

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  1. Scripture Reading (15 minutes)


    Key Passages:


  • Psalm 112:1-3: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.”


  • Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

  ____________________


  1. Teaching Segment (30 minutes)


    Summary of the Passage: Psalm 112 describes the blessings of those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments. While it mentions wealth and riches, the psalm primarily focuses on enduring righteousness, generosity, and spiritual stability.


    Critiquing Hyper-prosperity Theology: Hyper-prosperity theology often isolates phrases like “wealth and riches” (v.3) to suggest material wealth is the ultimate sign of God’s favour, ignoring the psalm’s emphasis on righteousness, obedience, and spiritual blessings.


    Biblical Prosperity in Context: True biblical prosperity includes spiritual well-being, relational harmony, and God’s provision to meet needs rather than guaranteed material abundance.

  ____________________

 

7 Steps of Hermeneutics: Teaching How to Interpret Psalm 112

 

Step 1: Historical-Cultural Context


Question: What was the historical and cultural setting of Psalm 112?

 

Context: Written in a time when covenant blessings were seen as tangible evidence of faithfulness, this psalm reflects Israel’s understanding of God’s provision. Wealth was viewed in the context of societal stability and God’s faithfulness to His people under the Old Covenant.

   ____________________


Step 2: Literary Context


Question: What is the literary structure and placement of Psalm 112?


  • Context: This psalm is part of the wisdom tradition and is an acrostic poem. It follows Psalm 111, which celebrates God’s attributes, and together they form a complementary focus on God’s character and the life of the righteous.

   ____________________


Step 3: Grammatical-Syntactical Analysis

Key Phrases:

  1. “Blessed are those who fear the Lord” (v.1): Establishes reverence for God as the foundation of all blessings.

  2. “Wealth and riches are in their houses” (v.3): Refers to provision and stability, tied to generosity and stewardship rather than luxury.

  3. “Their righteousness endures forever” (v.3): Indicates the eternal nature of the blessings of the righteous, focusing on spiritual impact rather than transient material gain.

   ____________________


Step 4: Theological Context


Question: How does this passage align with broader biblical theology?


  • Material wealth is part of God’s provision but is not the ultimate goal of faithfulness. The New Testament redefines blessings to include spiritual abundance and eternal rewards (Matthew 6:19-21, Ephesians 1:3).

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Step 5: Genre and Literary Devices


Genre: Wisdom poetry.


  • It uses metaphor and parallelism to convey the principles of godly living. For example, “wealth and riches” metaphorically highlights stability and God’s provision rather than extravagant accumulation.

   ____________________


Step 6: Canonical Context


Question: How does Psalm 112 fit within the Bible as a whole?


  • It aligns with Old Testament teachings on covenant blessings but finds fulfillment in Christ, who shifts the focus to eternal prosperity and spiritual inheritance (Ephesians 1:3, Colossians 3:1-4).

   ____________________


Step 7: Application and Relevance


Application:

  • Psalm 112 teaches believers to focus on righteousness, obedience, and trust in God’s provision.

  • It does not promise extravagant wealth but emphasizes the holistic blessings of living in God’s will.

  • Critiquing hyper-prosperity theology is not demonic but a call to align teachings with Scripture’s true intent.

  ____________________ 


5. Discussion and Questions (15 minutes)


Discussion Prompts:

  1. How do you interpret Psalm 112:1-3 in light of its broader biblical context?

  2. Why is it important to critique teachings that misrepresent Scripture?

  3. Have you seen examples where prosperity theology has caused harm or confusion?

 

Encourage Participation:

  1. Ask participants to share personal experiences with messages about financial blessings in church settings.

  2. Invite dialogue about the difference between God’s provision and prosperity theology.

  ____________________ 


6. Practical Application (5 minutes)


Action Steps for the Week:

  1. Meditate on Psalm 112: Reflect on how fearing the Lord and obeying His commands bring blessings beyond material wealth.

  2. Evaluate Your Heart’s Priorities: Are you storing treasures in heaven or focusing on earthly wealth?

  3. Practice Generosity: Give in secret this week, asking God to align your heart with His purposes (Matthew 6:1-4).

  ____________________ 


7. Closing Prayer and Reflection (5 minutes)

  • Thank God for revealing His truth and for providing spiritual blessings in Christ.

  • Pray for discernment and wisdom in identifying false teachings and staying faithful to God’s Word.

   ____________________ 

Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht | Faith, Finances, and True Prosperity Bible Study Series

 

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