Finding True Hope Beyond the Prosperity Gospel with John Cortines

In this episode of Faith & Finance, host Rob West welcomes back John Cortines to unpack the dangers of the prosperity gospel and its distortion of biblical truth. The conversation centers on how the belief that faith guarantees health, wealth, and success misrepresents God’s character and leads to spiritual confusion, guilt, and manipulation—especially when hardship strikes. John contrasts this with a biblical view of suffering, emphasizing that Christ Himself endured hardship, and that trials are not signs of divine disfavor but opportunities for spiritual growth. He introduces the JOY framework—Jesus went first, Orient your heart, Yes to His purposes—as a way to anchor hope in Christ rather than circumstances. The episode also highlights the call to generous giving not out of obligation, but as a joyful reflection of Christ’s sacrifice, and encourages believers to see their resources as tools for kingdom impact. The discussion concludes with practical advice on financial stewardship, including life insurance for dependents and strategic real estate diversification. Key takeaways include: 1) True hope is anchored in Christ, not in material blessings; 2) Suffering is not a sign of failure but a path to deeper faith; 3) Generosity should flow from joy, not fear or performance; 4) The prosperity gospel distorts Scripture by equating faith with financial gain; 5) We are called to steward resources with eternal perspective, not just immediate comfort; 6) The JOY framework helps believers navigate trials with biblical hope; 7) Giving is a privilege, not a pressure; 8) Diversification reduces risk and aligns with wise stewardship.