I’m only guessing that this came out of Calvinist teachings promulgated by the likes of Max Weber who embraced the notion of a Protestant work ethic and predestination. There is a strong under-current among some Calvinists that some of “the elect” are destined for wealth and greatness and these people are chosen by God.
I’d be curious to see research that tied Weber’s seminal work “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” (in which he attributes the growth of capitalism itself to - among other things - Protestant ideas and concepts (in great contrast with say…Marxism) with the “Prosperity Gospel.”
One of the ways in which works - of any kind - filter their way into Calvinist thought is best depicted in this - from the Westminster Confession of Faith:
“These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments,
are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel…”
The “work” ethic is thus derived from the idea that works are evidence of faith. This concept filters through all we do - our stewardship of our time, talent and treasure is evidence of a lively faith. We are looking for evidence of our faith IN SPITE OF our circumstances. Calvinism thus argues that - among other things -
True Faith produces WORK.
Prosperity Gospel is quite the opposite. It says that God wants me to be rich. Further - he promises to make me rich - and in so doing make my life easier - and more comfortable. It argues that we deserve to be rich and comfortable. Freedom in the gospel’s payoff is comfort and wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Prosperity Gospel argues that
Faith produces COMFORT.
If you want to read about what Protestants should and do think about our faith in terms of “prosperity”, read Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship”. Here’s a quote therefrom:
"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him."
