Why People Prefer to Monetize Their Pain Rather Than Seek Healing: The Spiritual Trap of Turning Sickness into a Source of Income
Some individuals turn sickness into a business model rather than seeking healing. Learn why this spiritual error traps people in dependence and how faith in God can lead to true transformation.Sickness, once viewed as a burden to be healed, has become, for some, a business model. What should lead to deliverance has instead turned into a consistent source of income, particularly for those seeking sympathy. Beggars, churchgoers, and even influencers, instead of desiring healing, are often more interested in handouts. This spiritual error traps people in dependence, preventing them from living fulfilled lives and walking in their God-given destiny. It’s time for us to address this and call people to faith, not to a life of manipulation and despair.
The Case of the Slave Girl in Acts 16: Turning Pain into Profit
The story of the slave girl in Acts 16 offers a striking parallel to the monetization of sickness and suffering today. She was possessed by a spirit of divination, and her masters exploited her condition for financial gain. “She brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling... but when Paul cast the spirit out, their hope of gain was gone” (Acts 16:16-19, KJV) Bible Gateway Link. Instead of celebrating the girl’s freedom, her masters became furious because their financial source was cut off.
This mirrors today’s mindset, where some people, rather than seeking healing, choose to stay sick as it serves their interests. They view their pain as a paycheck. The enemy keeps them bound by their condition because when they are healed, the source of their income—pity and sympathy—disappears. They become prisoners to their suffering.
Real-Life Stories of People Monetizing Their Pain
The Beggars at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, Wethedral Road, Owerri
In many cities, you’ll encounter beggars who have become fixtures in high-traffic areas. One such location is Saint Paul’s Catholic Church on Wethedral Road in Owerri. For years, the same individuals have begged for money and food, not always out of necessity, but often because they have found comfort in the attention and handouts they receive. While some are genuinely in need, others have grown accustomed to their role as beggars.
They receive sympathy, food, and money regularly, creating a cycle of dependency. They are not truly seeking healing, and many refuse medical treatment because their ailment provides them with a steady income. The sad truth is that some of these people, over time, lose their sense of self-worth and confidence. Their pain has become their identity, and they are comfortable in that identity, unaware that it’s the devil's strategy to keep them bound in a perpetual state of need, preventing them from fulfilling their God-given destiny.
The Story of the Man Who Didn’t Want Healing
There’s a powerful story I witnessed in my own ministry. A man came to the church, crying in pain and begging for help. We offered to pray and fast for his healing, but to our surprise, he declined. He didn’t want healing—he wanted the attention and the help that came with his condition. This is a sobering reminder that not everyone is seeking deliverance; some are comfortable in their sickness because it provides them with benefits, like sympathy or financial gain.
The Devil’s Strategy: Trapping People in Dependence
This mindset doesn’t just exist on the streets—it’s a spiritual deception that infiltrates many areas of life, including the Church. The devil uses pain and suffering to trap people, making them comfortable in their situation. Instead of walking in the freedom that Christ offers, they become spiritually paralyzed, clinging to their condition because it provides them with an identity, attention, or money. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we enabling this cycle of dependence, or are we offering the transformative healing that only Jesus can provide?
Lessons from History: People Who Were Healed and Fulfilled Their Destinies
To better understand how healing can lead to transformation, let’s look at some real-life examples of people who refused to accept the impossibility of their situation and chose faith instead of remaining bound by their circumstances.
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John Newton (Writer of "Amazing Grace")
John Newton, once a notorious slave trader, turned his life around after a dramatic encounter with God. He suffered a near-death experience during a violent storm at sea. This experience led him to reject his old ways and accept the grace of God, eventually becoming an Anglican minister and writing the famous hymn "Amazing Grace." His healing wasn’t just physical—it was spiritual, and it set him on a new path of purpose. He became a voice for abolition and the salvation of many. Newton’s life teaches us that no matter how deep the pain or sin, God can heal and redirect our destiny. -
Joni Eareckson Tada (Paralyzed, Now a Disability Advocate)
Joni Eareckson Tada was left paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident at the age of 17. Instead of becoming a perpetual liability to others, she trusted God and found strength in her suffering. Over the years, she became a powerful advocate for people with disabilities, founded the Joni and Friends ministry, and wrote numerous books. Despite her ongoing disability, Joni’s healing was not just physical—she found her spiritual purpose, using her situation to serve others. Her life shows that healing goes beyond physical recovery; it’s about fulfilling your God-given destiny, even when healing doesn’t come in the way you expect. -
Nick Vujicic (Born Without Arms or Legs, Motivational Speaker)
Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs, but instead of succumbing to despair, he embraced his condition and became a world-renowned motivational speaker. His message of overcoming adversity has inspired millions around the world. His life is a testament to the power of faith and determination. Nick’s story teaches us that even when our physical condition seems impossible, God can give us the strength to fulfill our destiny. His life is a vivid example of how faith in God can bring about healing—not necessarily physical, but emotional and spiritual, enabling us to walk in our purpose.
Faith in God: Refuse to be Held Down by Your Condition
You may be asking, “But what if healing doesn’t come like in the case of the Apostle Paul, who had a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and yet kept working for God?” The truth is, not all healing is instantaneous, and some trials may remain. However, even when physical healing doesn’t come, the strength to keep going is available through faith in God. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul learned that God's grace was sufficient for him, despite his suffering. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV) Bible Gateway Link.
Even when healing doesn’t look like we expect, we are still called to work and walk in faith. Don’t allow your suffering to become a crutch or a way to gain sympathy. Instead, walk in the faith that God has a plan for your life. Use what you have, and don’t allow yourself to become a liability to others. Instead of monetizing your pain, allow God to use it for His glory and for your ultimate transformation.
Interrogatory & Revelational Questions
- Are you willing to reject the cycle of dependence and choose healing, even if it doesn’t come as quickly as you hope?
- How can you use your faith in God to move from victimhood to victory, just like John Newton, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Nick Vujicic?
- What steps can you take today to stop being a liability and begin walking in your purpose, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for you?
The time has come to refuse to be held down by sickness or suffering. Whether your healing is physical, emotional, or spiritual, God has the power to restore you. Don’t settle for a life of dependence or pity. Walk in faith and trust that God has a greater purpose for you. Just as those in history overcame their struggles and fulfilled their destinies, you too can walk in victory. God is calling you to embrace His healing power and to refuse to be a liability to others. Instead, be a vessel of His glory and transformation.
Have you seen others, or even yourself, caught in the cycle of monetizing pain rather than seeking true healing? Share your thoughts below, and let’s begin a conversation on how we can break free from this spiritual error and walk in the fullness of God’s plan for our lives. Follow Church History Chronicles for more teachings on faith, healing, and transformation.
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