What is the Prosperity Gospel, and should Christians listen to its prominent preachers?

The Prosperity Gospel (also known as the "Word of Faith" movement or "Health and Wealth Gospel") is a theological framework that teaches that God’s primary will for Christians is financial wealth and physical health. It asserts that believers can unlock these blessings through positive confession, visualization, and—critically—financial "seed-faith" giving. This message is problematic because it fundamentally distorts the true Gospel of Christ, replacing the biblical call to suffering and self-denial (Matthew 16:24) with a focus on earthly comfort and material gain. Christians should approach its prominent preachers with extreme caution, rigorously testing their teachings against the whole of Scripture.