THE CONCEPT OF MIRACLE MONEY IN (MATTHEW 17:24–27) AND NOE-PENTECOSTAL MIRACLE MONEY PROPHECY IN NIGERIA: A CRITIQUE

Abstract

The issues of miracle money among some Christians have prompted this research, with the observation that certain ministers from the western part of Africa, especially Nigeria, have popularized miracle money as a bait to attract millions of people to their crusades. The concept of misusing God’s grace to touch the weakness of man in order to bring him to the Kingdom is misplaced. Nigeria in particular is facing the challenges of end-time pangs, less money in families, unemployment, poverty, sickness, etc. Man’s problems are almost reduced to the barest minimum when there is sufficient money in his bank account to meet his needs. Man, in his desire to acquire money, will always answer calls to where it is likely available and free of charge. God does not reward idleness or laziness, but will always meet us at the point of our needs by sending angels in the form of human beings to give us gifts to help our situations. In this research, careful and critical focus is placed on the quest for miracles in Nigeria, against the intentions and implications of Jesus’ miracles in the New Testament, and sought to evaluate our attitudinal orientations as a possible effect of the poor economic situation in the country. The research found that the quest for miracles by many Nigerian Christians indicates their lack of understanding of the essence of miracles in the New Testament. This negative attitude also explains the frantic efforts by some Pentecostal preachers to work miracles, including monetizing them. This research recommends that the government, as a matter of urgency, checkmate fake miracle workers and prosecute them because they are deceivers and fraudulent. It concludes that, based on the high rate of poverty in the country, the problem of miracle money can be addressed by addressing the economic, social, and political situation of this country through good governance.