The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has refuted claims that he advised Christians to stop paying tithes.
The clarification came during the church’s October Holy Ghost Service on Saturday at Redemption City on the Lagos-Ibadan motorway in Ogun State, when Adeboye addressed misrepresentations resulting from his recent comments on the matter, which have sparked controversy among social media users.
Adeboye stated that he was sorry for any earlier words that have been misconstrued.
He was shocked, however, by the speed with which bogus allegations suggesting he had discouraged tithe payments propagated online.
“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,” Adeboye said.
He also stated that he urged people to donate more than the standard 10%, citing an interaction at Kenneth Hagin’s church in which a man revealed how his financial position changed after agreeing to tithe 90% of his income.
He said, “Today, I’m close to giving 90%, but I am far from 10%. So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10% 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. I said that for beginners, the minimum is what God calls 10%. I said, From now on, begin to increase what you give.”
He added, “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% should be the minimum.”
