A poor man gathered all he had and was able to give rupees one thousand to the preacher. Because the preacher had promised that God would give him in return ten million rupees if he gave him one thousand. He patiently waited for a miracle to happen. Instead, his wife lost her job. Both his children became sick and were admitted to the hospital. Desperate, he prayed and went to the preacher and shared his miserable situation. The preacher said, he had unconfessed sin, God was punishing him or his faith was not adequate to receive the blessings. Instead of being comforted, he felt guilty, and weary, and was on the verge of committing suicide.
Miserable comforters: Job had to deal with miserable comforters who were not speaking the mind of God. (Job 16:2) Like the prosperity preacher, the three friends of Job condemned him of secret sin, and God was punishing him. (Job 11:14-15; 22:4-7) The miserable comforters are those who do not know God, the fallen world, the meaning of suffering, God’s grace, and His plan in a person’s life.
Simplistic statements: They say: If someone experiences a loss, defeat, sickness, accident, or disaster; that person has done something evil or wicked that is against God. Job was righteous, godly, and blameless in the sight of God, and Satan could not disprove it. (Job 1:1)
Suffering: Prosperity preachers are allergic to pain and suffering, and they hate them. Even in a world, which has fallen and cursed, suffering happens to both the righteous and wicked. Nevertheless, those who are called by God ought to suffer for His Kingdom and Glory. (Philippians 1:29) Some heroes of faith suffered anguish and deprivation, and so it will be in the end days. (Hebrews 11:35-40)
Godly counselors: They teach that God cares for His people. He is not an impersonal God. (Psalms 34:18) God’s Promises are Yes in Christ. God’s grace is sufficient in all troubles, trials, and tribulations. God overturns all evil and suffering to ultimate victory for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
Am I a miserable comforter?