Believe...

“Believe it and receive it” is a concept appealing to most religious faiths. It is the notion that one can be as wealthy or successful or even healthy as they choose to be because of the level of their faith. It's sort of the belief that the level of prosperity one has in this world is relative to the amount of faith they have to receive it or make it happen. The idea is biblically unsound and borders more on New Age thinking than true Christianity.

There are of course courses where a person can learn to manipulate other people in order to get their own way, classes offering "how to's regarding mind over matter, or "mindpower" techniques. Unfortunately such concepts and practices, while they may be appealing to our senses, stand in opposition to the Christian doctrine of self-denial, sacrifice, humility and contentment so such things come to Christians in the form of what is often called, "Word of Faith.”

The word of Faith movement, which is not a denomination but a movement, teaches Christians, that “if you have not, it is because you do not have enough faith.” They also teach that “if you believe it… you will receive it,” whatever IT happens to be.

Much like the New Age movement, the Word of Faith movement is not a formal organization and it has many proponents. Kenneth Hagin is often considered one of the most prominent leaders of the movement. He is joined by names like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Bill Johnson, Jesse Duplantis, Marilynn Hickey, Norman Vincent Peale, Fred Price, Robert Schueller, Paul Crouch and Paula White. And while there is some truth and biblical foundation to the concept of what they teach on TV, truth is, God did not exactly promise you money and wealth or even power in exchange for your ability to believe. He promised you life abundant, (John 10:10) life to the full, even eternal life and he said that even if you have only the faith of a mustard seed, (Matthew 17:20) you will be counted as one of the faith full.