A ministry is selling 'anointed' prayer oil, cloths, or water for a high price. Is this a scam?
Selling ordinary objects at a large markup by attaching a spiritual claim of special power is a manipulative sales tactic, not a legitimate religious practice, especially when the object is described as necessary for healing, protection, or financial breakthrough.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This scam takes an object with a low actual cost, such as olive oil, water, cloth, or a small trinket, and attaches a claim that it has been specially blessed, anointed, or empowered, then sells it for many times its ordinary value. The pitch usually links the object to a specific desired outcome such as healing an illness, protecting a home, or reversing financial hardship, which creates urgency for anyone facing that exact problem.
Unlike a normal religious item sold at a fair price to support a ministry's work, these offers typically emphasize that the specific item purchased is what makes the difference, sometimes claiming a limited supply or a special one-time blessing, which pushes buyers toward an immediate purchase rather than reflection. Follow-up offers for a 'stronger' or 'more anointed' version at a higher price are common once the first purchase is made, since the buyer is now on a list as someone willing to pay for spiritual products.
No religious tradition's core teaching holds that a physical object purchased for a fee is required for prayer, healing, or blessing to be effective, and reputable religious organizations that do sell devotional items typically price them reasonably and do not tie the price to a promised supernatural outcome.
Common red flags
- An ordinary object is sold at a price far exceeding its normal cost
- The item is described as necessary for a specific desired outcome like healing or wealth
- Claims of limited supply or a one-time special blessing create urgency to buy immediately
- Repeated follow-up offers for a 'stronger' version at a higher price
- No return policy and no way to verify how the item was actually prepared or blessed
What to do now
- Do not purchase items sold with promises of a specific supernatural outcome tied to the purchase
- Ask your own trusted local faith community about typical, reasonable pricing for devotional items
- If you already bought an item, treat it as a normal purchase and do not send further payments for 'stronger' versions
- Report the seller to consumer protection authorities if the marketing made specific false claims
- Discuss the experience with your faith leader if you are concerned about the theology being used to sell the product
Frequently asked questions
Is it wrong for a church to sell devotional items at all?
No, many religious organizations reasonably sell devotional items like candles, prayer beads, or books to support their work. The concern is specifically inflated pricing tied to a guaranteed supernatural outcome, which is a sales tactic rather than a devotional practice.