The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has clarified his position on tithing, stressing that he has never discouraged Christians from paying their tithes.
Earlier, New Daily Prime reported that Pastor Adeboye issued an apology for a previous statement, which implied that those who do not pay tithes would not enter heaven.
However, during the RCCG’s October Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, he addressed the misconceptions surrounding his apology.
Pastor Adeboye expressed surprise at how quickly misinformation spread online, especially claims that he was against tithing. He reaffirmed his support for the practice, emphasising its importance in Christian doctrine.
He said: “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.”
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He further encouraged believers to go beyond the traditional 10 per cent tithe, sharing a powerful testimony from Kenneth Hagin’s church. In the story, a man explained how his financial situation dramatically improved after deciding to tithe 90 per cent of his income.
He said: “Today, I’m close to giving 90 per cent but I am far from 10 per cent. So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10 per cent 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.
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“I said that for beginners, the minimum is what God calls 10 per cent. I said, from now on, begin to increase what you give. 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 per cent should be the minimum.”