A few readers object to Christian prosperity gospels and the preached belief that “God wants you rich.”

“I’m all for prosperity,” writes steady CM reader Stacey-Robin, “but in a more holistic fashion. Be grateful for what you have and practice good stewardship. Life isn’t neccessarily going to be better with a bigger house or new car. The prosperity ministries ultimately do a disservice, by turning God into a wealth-granting entity rather than directing folks to connecting with the God within.” But then she adds, “To completely contradict myself: There is something about Joel Olsteen that I find a bit magnetic–that whole positive-outlook-yields-positive-results talk is right up my alley!”

What I’m directly addressing is a desire to take hold of the world’s abundance, however that might manifest, and not live in “scarcity consciousness” when it comes to time, love, money. We can continue to discuss this.