In response to the online debate sparked by a previous statement attributed to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he has denied claims that he advised Christians to stop paying tithes.
At the church’s October Holy Ghost Service on Saturday at the Redemption City on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Adeboye said he was misrepresented on his comments about tithing.
Adeboye acknowledged that he had apologised for any previous statements on tithing that may have been misunderstood.
However, he denied discouraging tithes payment.
“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,” Adeboye said.
He stated that in fact he encouraged believers to pay more than 10% as tithe, referencing an encounter at Kenneth Hagin’s church where a man shared how his financial situation improved after committing to tithe 90% of his income.
He said, “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.
“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.”
He added, “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.”
In an earlier viral video, Adeboye had said, “We need to be apologising for making a mistake, for saying that if you don’t pay tithe, you may not make it to heaven. I’m sorry. That is wrong.
“That is not in the Bible. What the Bible says is be at peace with all men and holiness, without which, no man shall see God. It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time. I may have been a scientist, so I know that.
“For years, we thought that light travels in straight lines but later, we discovered it is not straight as a road. Light travels in waves, going in one direction but in waves.
“It is wrong to limit you to 10%. At a time when some of you should be 20%, 30%, 40%, 10% should be for beginners. Giving should be violently.”
