Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has publicly apologized for a previous statement claiming that Christians who do not pay tithe may not make it to heaven.
The 82-year-old pastor admitted his earlier assertion was incorrect and not supported by the Bible, sparking widespread discussions among his followers and critics alike.
In a video posted on the youth wing of RCCG’s social media page on Friday, October 4, Adeboye addressed his congregation during the ongoing Youth Convention at Redemption City on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He clarified that tithing was not a biblical requirement for salvation, citing Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.”
“I apologize for saying, ‘If you don’t pay tithe, you won’t make it to heaven.’ I’m sorry, that’s wrong, and it’s not in the Bible,” Pastor Adeboye apologized.
Drawing from his background in science, he used a metaphor to explain how he could have been “right and wrong at the same time.”
“For years, we thought light travels in straight lines, but later on, we discovered that light travels in waves,” he explained.
The RCCG leader further explained that paying 10% of one’s income as tithe should be a starting point for beginners in faith, but more mature Christians should aim to give 20%, 30%, or even more. “It is wrong to limit you to 10 percent when some of you should be paying 20%, 30%, or 40%. Ten percent should be for beginners,” he remarked.
The apology has generated mixed reactions on social media. While some praised the cleric for admitting his mistake, others expressed concern over his encouragement for higher tithing percentages during an economic downturn in Nigeria.
Despite the controversy, Adeboye emphasized that giving to God is a personal decision, stating that the payment of tithe is not compulsory. “Blessings come from a heart willing to give sacrificially,” he added.
