Pastor Adeboye’s Apology Sparks Renewed Discussion on Tithing

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has issued an apology for his recent comments suggesting that tithing is essential for salvation. This apology follows the circulation of a video clip where he emphasized the importance of paying tithes for entering heaven, which sparked significant backlash from the public and other church leaders. Continue Reading>>>

During a sermon, Adeboye declared that failure to pay tithes could jeopardize one’s chances of salvation. This statement was met with criticism, particularly from Pastor Abel Damina of Power City International Ministry, who contended that tithing is not a biblical mandate and highlighted that Jesus neither paid nor accepted tithes. Damina argued that the early church did not practice tithing as well.

In a subsequent video, Adeboye retracted his earlier statement, admitting that there is no biblical basis for claiming that not paying tithes would prevent one from entering heaven. He clarified that salvation is based on following the teachings of peace and holiness, rather than financial contributions to the church. He described tithing as a practice for beginners and acknowledged the error in his previous statement.

Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, praised Adeboye for his humility in admitting the mistake, calling him “humility personified.” Meanwhile, some leaders, like Rev. Oyewale Oyeniyi from the Baptist Church in Ogun State, maintained that failing to pay tithes constitutes disobedience to God’s commands. Continue Reading>>>

Adeboye’s apology has reignited discussions on social media regarding the role of tithing in Christianity. While some view it as a principle promoting generosity, others criticize it as exploitative. Some commentators on X (formerly Twitter) have echoed sentiments that further clarify the ongoing debate, highlighting concerns about the potential manipulation of church teachings.