Just over six years after stating that anyone who did not pay tithing would not go to heaven, Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has changed his stance.
A video clip of Pastor Adeboye making the controversial statement went viral in April 2018, around the time of RCCG's monthly Holy Spirit Service at the Redemption Camp, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
However, PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm whether the video was recorded in April 2018. Notably, Pastor Adeboye appeared younger in the clip and the quality of the video appears outdated, suggesting that it may have been filmed earlier.
Tithing in Christianity is an intensely debated topic. It involves giving 10 percent of profits to God through the church, and this practice has sparked discussion even among religious leaders.
Some people argue that tithing is unnecessary and that the funds should go to helping the less privileged. Others, however, believe that tithing is a biblical mandate that must be followed regularly.
Recently, popular pastor Abel Damina made headlines during an appearance on Nedu's 'Honest Bunch' podcast, where he claimed that Jesus never paid or accepted tithes in the Bible.
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Pastor Damina, founder and president of Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI) and CEO of Kingdom Life Network (KLN), admitted that he once advocated tithing, but later changed his stance after realizing that Jesus did not collect tithes. .
Sorry
However, the 82-year-old cleric, in a recent video posted on the RCCG Youth and Adults (YAYA) Instagram page on Friday, apologized for saying, “anyone who does not pay his tithe will not go to heaven.”
He apologized during his sermon at the annual national youth convention, which ends on Friday, at RCCG Redemption City.
He clarified that the Bible does not explicitly say that not paying tithes will prevent someone from entering heaven.
He said: “I am going to apologize for making a mistake in saying that if you (believers) do not pay tithes, you may not get to heaven. That's wrong; that's not in the Bible. The Bible says to be at peace with all men and holiness without which no one will see God. Now, let me tell you that it is possible to be right and wrong at the same time, and I will prove it to you (the congregations).
“I am a scientist, and I know that for years we thought that light travels in a straight line, and those of us who do a little physics say that it is true, but light does not bend in corners; goes straight. But later we discovered that light travels in waves, going in one direction but in waves. It is wrong to limit yourself to 10 percent when some of you should or want to contribute 20 percent, 30 percent and 40 percent, because 10 percent should be for beginners and donations should be voluntary.”
The cleric last made headlines in September when he advised pastors to balance marital romance with their spiritual duties.
He also revealed the key to a long-lasting marriage and advised couples to prioritize intimacy and romance to nurture and sustain their relationships.