The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has once again clarified his position on the issue of tithing. This clarification comes after widespread reports misinterpreting his comments on the matter.
Speaking at the church’s October Holy Ghost Service held at the Redemption City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Pastor Adeboye addressed recent controversies and misconceptions surrounding his teachings on tithing.
The respected cleric emphasized that he never asked Christians to stop paying tithes. Instead, he explained that his message was intended to encourage believers to grow in their giving and faith.
Pastor Adeboye expressed surprise at how quickly false reports had spread, claiming that he had told Christians to stop paying tithes. The confusion, he said, began when he offered an apology for any misunderstandings that may have arisen from his previous messages on tithing. However, within hours, reports began circulating online suggesting that he had completely discouraged the practice of tithing.
“The issue of tithing became contentious, and I decided to apologise for anything I might have said wrong,” Pastor Adeboye said during the service.
“Yet, within an hour, it was being circulated online that I said Christians should stop paying tithes.”
He further stressed that this was far from the truth and that his actual message had been greatly distorted by those who misreported it.
Pastor Adeboye explained that he believes the traditional 10 per cent tithe is only the minimum that believers should give. According to him, Christians should aim to increase their giving as they grow in their faith and relationship with God.
The RCCG leader shared an example from a visit to Kenneth Hagin’s church in the United States. He recounted how a man testified that his financial situation improved significantly after committing to give 90 per cent of his income to God, leaving him with only 10 per cent for his personal use.
Pastor Adeboye used this story to illustrate his belief that Christians should not limit themselves to giving just 10 per cent, but should be willing to give more as they are blessed.
“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,” he explained.
“As you grow in the Lord, you should grow in praising Him, winning souls, and in giving.”
Pastor Adeboye made it clear that his message on tithing was about encouraging growth in giving and not about stopping the practice altogether. He believes that giving more to God, including through tithes and offerings, is part of spiritual maturity and obedience to God’s commandments.
“For beginners, the minimum is what God calls 10 per cent,” Adeboye said, emphasizing that tithing is the foundation upon which believers should build their giving.
“I said, from now on, begin to increase what you give.”
The cleric reiterated that his point was not to tell Christians to stop paying tithes but to encourage them to aim higher and give more as they prosper and grow in faith.
Pastor Adeboye expressed disappointment that his message was distorted and shared inaccurately online. He pointed out that much of what he said during his teachings on tithing was ignored, and only certain parts of his speech were sensationalized on social media platforms.
“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,” he remarked.
The cleric insisted that his stance on tithing remains clear, and he was only emphasizing that Christians should not limit themselves to the minimum but should aspire to give more as God blesses them.
The topic of tithing has long been a matter of debate within the Christian community, both in Nigeria and around the world. Some have questioned the requirement for Christians to pay 10 per cent of their income, while others uphold it as a biblical commandment.
Pastor Adeboye, as one of Nigeria’s most prominent Christian leaders, has often been a central figure in this debate. His recent comments, which were initially misinterpreted, reignited the discussion on tithing and giving in the Christian faith.
Many Christians look to Pastor Adeboye for guidance, and his words carry significant weight within the RCCG and beyond. His clarification on the matter has provided much-needed clarity, especially for those who were confused by the earlier reports.
Following Pastor Adeboye’s clarification, several prominent figures in the Christian community have reacted to his message. Some have expressed support for his call to grow in giving, while others have continued to debate the necessity of tithing as a Christian practice.
Popular Nigerian media personality and preacher Daddy Freeze, who has been a vocal critic of tithing in the past, responded to Adeboye’s clarification by acknowledging the apology but reiterating his stance that tithing should not be mandatory for Christians.
“I appreciate your apology,” Daddy Freeze said in a social media post directed at Pastor Adeboye. “But I still believe that tithing is not a New Testament requirement.”
Despite the ongoing debate, Pastor Adeboye’s followers and many others within the Christian community have continued to show their support for his teachings, particularly his call to give more generously as an expression of faith.