In recent years a movement known as "the prosperity gospel" has gained a sizeable following in the evangelical world. It argues that God has already made provision for his children to be wealthy here on earth, and that believers' wealth is determined by their faith. Does the comprehensive message of Scripture concerning wealth support this movement, which is growing rapidly in Africa? This work looks at this important theme in both Old and New Testaments to determine their basic unity of thought. Both agree that there is a dark and a bright side to riches. There are dangers and serious temptations to wealth, but wealth can be a primary means to honor God as well. In this concise booklet Professor Donald Leggett examines this tension and concludes that the prosperity gospel fails to maintain the full biblical witness by ignoring the dangers of being wealthy.

Donald Leggett is professor emeritus of Old Testament studies at Tyndale Theological Seminary in Toronto, where he has taught for more than 40 years. He holds a ThM from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and a doctorate from the Free University of Amsterdam. He has also taught at the Irish Baptist College, Belfast, at Scott Theological College in Kenya and in India, at the South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies. From 1978 to 2003 he co-pastored Village Green Baptist Church in London, Ontario. He previously authored The Kinsman Redeemer in the Book of Ruth, and Loving God and Disturbing Men. He is married to Linda and they have five grown children now living in various parts of the world.