Does God Hate the Rich? — Understanding Wealth, Faith, and the Kingdom
Description
In this thought-provoking opening episode of the Does God Hate the Rich? series, Dr. Cooper challenges one of the most ingrained ideas in American Christianity—the link between wealth and divine favor. Drawing from Scripture and cultural history, he asks whether our pursuit of prosperity aligns with—or opposes—the heart of God.
From the story of the rich young ruler to the parables of the rich fool and Lazarus, Dr. Cooper explores why Jesus spoke so sharply about money and why the Synoptic Gospels seem to frame wealth as a barrier rather than a blessing. He also contrasts modern teachings of the “prosperity gospel” with the biblical doctrine of rewards and generosity.
Whether you’re a business leader, a believer, or simply wrestling with the role of money in your life, this episode will deepen your understanding of God’s perspective on wealth, stewardship, and eternal priorities.
Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Opening Thought: “With every dollar you gain beyond your daily needs, you move one step closer to God’s hatred.”
00:46 – Introduction: Welcome to Three Crowns Plus — exploring faith applied to everyday life.
01:30 – Setting the Stage: What does it mean to ask, “Does God hate the rich?”
02:00 – The American Dream: How cultural ideals of success shape our theology.
03:30 – Prosperity in the Church: Dave Ramsey, the prosperity gospel, and the myth of divine wealth.
05:10 – Scriptural Foundations: Understanding Romans 9:13 — “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
07:00 – The Nature of Divine Hate: How “love” and “hate” function in Hebrew and Greek contexts.
13:40 – Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler: Why wealth is portrayed as an obstacle to discipleship.
16:00 – Woes to the Rich: Prophetic judgment and divine displeasure.
19:30 – Wealth as Spiritual Barrier: “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…”
23:00 – The Widow’s Offering: Why two pennies outweighed millions.
25:30 – Theological Summary: God’s active opposition to self-sufficiency.
30:00 – Practical Application: How generosity transforms the purpose of wealth.
32:30 – Closing Reflection: “The problem is not the coming in—it’s the going out.”
Scripture References
Romans 9:6–13 · Luke 6:24 · Luke 12:16 –21 · Luke 16:19 –31 · Matthew 19:16 –24 · Mark 10:17 –22 · Luke 1:53 · Matthew 10:37
Episode Notes
Week 1 of the Does God Hate the Rich? series
Explores how Jesus, Paul, and the prophets viewed the rich and the poor
Clarifies the doctrine of rewards and how generosity aligns with Kingdom principles
Prepares the foundation for next week’s episode: “If God Hates—What Are the Things He Hates?”
Connect & Share
📧 Contact: info@3cplus.org
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