English
Português
Español
Français
Response
Miracle money is unexpected money that appears miraculously in someone’s purse, wallet, pocket, or bank account to showcase the power of God. Preachers who supposedly distribute miracle money assert the ability to pronounce “miracle finances” over individuals during their miracle money gatherings, leading some attendees to discover or receive money instantly.
The unusual practice of declaring miracle money into people’s possession is primarily carried out in various locations in Africa by self-proclaimed “prophets” like Uebert Angel and Shepherd Bushiri. These individuals and others promote what is commonly referred to as prosperity theology, which suggests that poverty is associated with the devil (or is a demon itself) and that God desires Christians to be prosperous, joyful, and healthy. Linked to the idea of miracle money is the misleading and manipulative request for “seed faith” contributions, which pledge a miraculous financial reward for money given in faith to the preacher.
Advocates of miracle money cite one of Jesus’ miracles as “evidence” that their actions are godly. On a particular occasion, when the temple tax was due, Jesus instructed Peter to go fishing and anticipate a miracle: “Go to the lake and cast out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth, and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” «However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money. Take it and give it to them for me and you.», (Matthew 17:27). The issue is that Jesus’ miracle of the coin in the fish’s mouth differs significantly from the contemporary practice of receiving miracle money. Why didn’t Jesus simply make the money appear in Peter’s pocket? Why didn’t angels place the coin directly into his pocket?Peter’s hand? Why did Jesus make Peter actually work for the money? Also, the money did not go to either Peter or Jesus but to the authorities for taxes.
Certainly, the deceivers claiming the ability to generate miraculous money for individuals anticipate that those who are “blessed” in such a manner will contribute a portion of the unexpected gain to their ministries. One may question why the alleged creators of miraculous money even require donations from others. Could they not simply create enough miraculous money for themselves? We are cautioned against those who might exploit us in a religious environment: “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with made-up stories” «And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. », (2 Peter 2:3). We long for our Lord to once again “drive out those who [are] selling” and transform the “den of robbers” back into a “house of prayer” (Luke 19:45-46).
God has already bestowed upon us the greatest gift imaginable, His only Son, Jesus (John 3:16;Romans 5:8). God is concerned about our daily necessities and is certainly able and willing to provide for us (Matthew 6:19-34). However, we are not exempt from challenging times (John 16:33;John 15:18-25). The apostles and believers in the early church of the New Testament were familiar with adversity (2 Corinthians 11:21-33;1 Peter 3:8-17;4:12-16).
God can utilize challenging times in our lives to aid our spiritual growth (James 1:2-5; Romans 5:3-5). God is more interested in our spiritual prosperity than in our worldly wealth. We cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:19-24). Instead, worldly wealth is a resource God entrusts to us so that we might steward it for His good purposes. Those who claim to produce “miracle money” seem far more interested in showmanship, emotional outbursts, and the accumulation of wealth than they are in the advancement of God’s kingdom. Believers would be wise to stay away from any person or ministry that claims to produce miracle money.
