Summary Blog: Evaluating Questions 21–28

A Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis of Shuttlesworth’s Prosperity Gospel Exegesis

From Questions 21 through 28 in 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, Jonathan Shuttlesworth makes increasingly bold claims about wealth, generosity, and financial prosperity as central to the Christian life. While many of his points are rooted in biblical texts, his exegesis often distorts their intended meaning, prioritizing financial gain over the gospel's holistic and spiritual focus.

This summary blog highlights key claims from Questions 21–28, identifies Shuttlesworth’s interpretive errors, and provides a theologically and hermeneutically sound response to the issues he raises.

1. Question 21: Does Wickedness Carry a Financial Blessing and Holiness a Financial Curse?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth argues that Psalm 1 teaches that wealth is a natural outcome of holiness, while poverty reflects wickedness.

Incorrect Exegesis

• Shuttlesworth equates the "prosperity" in Psalm 1:3 with financial wealth, ignoring the broader metaphor of spiritual flourishing.

• He implies that wealth is a definitive sign of righteousness, which contradicts biblical warnings about the dangers of riches.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• Psalm 1 describes the spiritual vitality and stability of those who delight in God’s Word, using agricultural imagery to depict a fruitful and enduring life.

• Holiness is not guaranteed to result in financial wealth, as seen in the lives of Jesus and the apostles.

  
  

2. Question 22: Can You Help the Poor While Being Poor?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth argues that poverty prevents Christians from fulfilling Christ’s commands to help the poor and needy, claiming that financial abundance is a biblical necessity.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He selectively cites passages like Psalm 41:1-3 and Luke 6:38, presenting them as guarantees of financial returns for generosity.

• He ignores examples of sacrificial giving in Scripture, such as the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44) and the Macedonian churches (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• The Bible emphasizes faithfulness and sacrificial generosity over material abundance. Acts of generosity are driven by trust in God’s provision, not financial surplus.

• Poverty does not disqualify believers from giving or serving, as demonstrated by numerous biblical examples.

  
  

3. Question 23: What Happens If a Person Gives All Their Money to the Poor?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth insists that giving financially results in personal financial gain, portraying offerings as a transactional system where giving ensures blessings.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He misinterprets passages like Acts 10:1-6 and Psalm 41:1-3, framing giving as a means of securing divine favor and material rewards.

• He neglects the relational and spiritual focus of these texts, emphasizing material gain instead.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• Acts 10 highlights Cornelius’s faith and devotion, which led to God’s revelation of the gospel to the Gentiles. His giving is an act of worship, not a transaction.

• Generosity reflects alignment with God’s character and purposes but does not guarantee financial blessings.

  
  

4. Question 24: Will No Rich Men Be in Heaven?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth dismisses the hyperbolic nature of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:24, suggesting that wealth is not a barrier to salvation. He supports his claim with the myth of the "eye of the needle" as a city gate.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He uses an anachronistic interpretation of the "eye of the needle" to soften Jesus’ radical teaching about the dangers of wealth.

• He downplays the spiritual risks of riches emphasized in Jesus’ broader teaching.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• Jesus’ statement is hyperbolic, underscoring the difficulty of entering the Kingdom for those who rely on wealth rather than God.

• Salvation for the rich, like for all people, is possible only through God’s grace (Matthew 19:26).

  
  

5. Question 25: What’s Good About the Church Having Less Money?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth equates the church’s financial resources with its impact, arguing that criticism of wealthy pastors stems from worldly bias.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He fails to address the ethical and theological concerns of financial excess in ministry, focusing instead on defending wealth.

• He overlooks the biblical emphasis on stewardship, humility, and transparency in leadership.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• The early church’s impact came from reliance on the Holy Spirit, generosity, and unity, not material wealth (Acts 2:42-47).

• Leaders are called to steward resources for God’s glory and the good of others, avoiding extravagance and exploitation (1 Timothy 3:2-3).

  
  

6. Question 26: Are Offerings a Perversion of God’s Word?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth argues that offerings are biblically mandated and that critics misunderstand their purpose.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He conflates the biblical principle of offerings with prosperity theology, emphasizing personal financial rewards.

• He misapplies Malachi 3:10 and other passages to support a transactional view of giving.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• Offerings are acts of worship and gratitude, reflecting faith in God’s provision. Malachi 3:10 addresses covenantal obligations under the Mosaic Law, not universal financial promises.

• The New Testament emphasizes cheerful and voluntary giving motivated by love and faith (2 Corinthians 9:7).

  
  

7. Question 27: Are Offerings Part of a Financial Reward System?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth insists that giving ensures financial rewards, citing passages like 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and Mark 10:28-30.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He interprets these texts as guarantees of material return, ignoring their focus on spiritual rewards and eternal perspectives.

• He promotes a transactional theology inconsistent with the broader biblical narrative.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• Paul’s teaching on sowing and reaping emphasizes the spiritual blessings of generosity, not guaranteed wealth.

• Mark 10 highlights the sacrifices of discipleship and the blessings of eternal life, not a formula for financial gain.

  
  

8. Question 28: Does the Bible Challenge People to Give Beyond Their Comfort Level?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth uses 1 Kings 17:8-15 and other passages to argue that giving beyond one’s comfort level is a biblical mandate tied to financial blessings.

Incorrect Exegesis

• He misrepresents the widow’s story in 1 Kings, framing it as a transactional act rather than a testament to God’s faithfulness.

• He ignores the broader biblical teaching that giving is motivated by trust and worship, not the expectation of material gain.

  
  

Correct Exegesis

• The widow’s act of obedience reflects faith in God’s provision, not a guarantee of wealth.

• True generosity arises from love for God and others, prioritizing eternal treasures over earthly wealth (Matthew 6:19-21).

  
  

Conclusion: The Biblical Perspective on Prosperity and Giving

Shuttlesworth’s exegesis from Questions 21–28 often distorts Scripture to align with prosperity theology, emphasizing financial rewards over spiritual growth and faithfulness. While the Bible affirms generosity and God’s provision, it consistently warns against the love of money and the dangers of materialism.

A biblically and theologically sound understanding of prosperity recognizes that blessings are holistic—spiritual, relational, and sometimes material—and are ultimately meant to glorify God and advance His Kingdom. True prosperity is found in faithfulness to Christ, sacrificial giving, and eternal treasures, not in the pursuit of financial gain.

Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨

(PhD Student)