The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has denied reports suggesting that he discouraged Christians from paying tithes.
The cleric clarified the controversy during the church’s October Holy Ghost Service on Saturday at the Redemption City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
Pastor Adeboye addressed the misunderstanding that arose after he previously apologized for a past statement where he said that those who do not pay tithe would not make it to heaven.
He expressed surprise at how quickly false reports circulated online, claiming he had asked Christians to stop paying tithes.
“The issue of tithing became contentious, and I decided to apologise for anything I might have said wrong,” Adeboye explained. “Yet, within an hour, it was being circulated online that I said Christians should stop paying tithes.”
The pastor went on to clarify that his intention was to encourage believers to give beyond the traditional 10 percent tithe.
He shared an experience at Kenneth Hagin’s church, where a man testified about his financial breakthrough after committing to tithe 90% of his income.
Adeboye noted that he, too, has been increasing his own tithing percentage over time.
“Today, I’m close to giving 90 percent, but I am far from 10 percent. So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10 percent when God can take you to a higher percentage,” he said, encouraging believers to grow in their giving as they grow in faith.
Adeboye reiterated that the minimum tithe should remain 10 percent for beginners, but that believers should aim to increase their giving over time.
“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 percent should be the minimum,” he emphasized.
