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Pastor Adeboye apologises for saying ‘you must pay tithe to make heaven’

By Musa Adekunle

04 October 2024   |   1:00 pm

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has apologised for an initial claim that Christians who do not pay tithe would not make heaven. Adeboye in an old sermon said payment of tithe was necessary for those hoping to make it to heaven. However, while speaking at the…

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has apologised for an initial claim that Christians who do not pay tithe would not make heaven.

Adeboye in an old sermon said payment of tithe was necessary for those hoping to make it to heaven.

However, while speaking at the ongoing RCCG Youth Convention at the Redemption City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, on Thursday, he admitted he made a mistake and apologised for the comment.

He explained that the Bible teaches that peaceful living and holiness are the true conditions for anyone to make heaven.

READ ALSO: Adeboye task Nigerians on commitment to national unity

“I apologise for saying ‘If you don’t pay tithe, you might not make it to heaven.’ I’m sorry, that’s wrong, and it’s not in the Bible. What the Bible says is ‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God,’” Adeboye said.

The pastor, known for blending spiritual messages with practical examples, compared his mistake to the scientific discovery that light travels both in straight lines and in waves, saying it is possible to be right and wrong.

“It is wrong to limit you to 10 per cent when someone is talking of 20, 30, 40 per cent. Ten per cent should be for beginners,” he added, promising to give more details on this soon,” he said.

Adeboye shared a story of a businessman who, inspired by a Kenneth Hagin conference, pledged to give 90 per cent of his company’s earnings to God, which he said led to more success.

He said the man had started a company with just $500 and promised God that he would not give the usual 10 per cent tithe but 90 per cent instead. After five years, the business grew to a $50 million turnover, according to Adeboye.

The testimony, Adeboye explained, encouraged him to gradually increase his tithe beyond the basic 10 per cent, saying but “I’ve not reached 90 per cent yet,” Adeboye said.