The pastor clarifies his stance on tithing, refuting claims that he discouraged the practice while urging Christians to give beyond 10%.
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]astor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has refuted claims suggesting he advised Christians to stop paying tithes.
Also read: Pastor Adeboye apologises over comment on non-tithers not making heaven
Addressing the issue during the church’s October Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City, Ogun State, Adeboye clarified that his comments on tithing were misrepresented, urging believers to give even more than the traditional 10%.
Following an online debate that ensued from earlier statements, Adeboye acknowledged that he had apologised for any misunderstandings about tithing but firmly denied discouraging the practice.
“The issue of tithing became contentious, and I decided to apologise for anything I might have said wrong. Yet, within an hour, it was being circulated online that I said Christians should stop paying tithes,” he stated.
Rather than dissuading believers from tithing, Adeboye reiterated his support for giving and encouraged Christians to aim for more than 10%.
He shared an example from an encounter at Kenneth Hagin’s church where a man saw remarkable financial blessings after committing to give 90% of his income as tithe.
“Today, I’m close to giving 90%, but I am far from 10%. So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10% when God can take you to a higher percentage,” Adeboye explained.
He encouraged his congregation, stating, “As you grow in the Lord, you should grow in praising Him, winning souls, and in giving. I said that for beginners, the minimum is what God calls 10%. I said, from now on, begin to increase what you give.”
Pastor Adeboye expressed frustration that his remarks were misinterpreted online, with some media outlets suggesting he discouraged tithing altogether.
“Of all I said, the only thing they put on the internet is that Adeboye apologised, and therefore, people should no longer pay their tithes. I said 10% should be the minimum,” he clarified.
In a previous viral video, Adeboye had apologised for comments about tithing, saying it was wrong to claim that those who don’t tithe may not make it to heaven.
Also read: RCCG altar not for male pastors with braids, women with heavy makeup — Adeboye
He emphasised that such statements were not biblically accurate, encouraging believers to understand the essence of holiness and peaceful living as key to seeing God.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
