General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has apologized publicly for a previous statement he made about tithing.
Pastor Adeboye speaking at a national youth convention, admitted that it was wrong for him to say that people who do not pay tithes would not make it to heaven.
“I am going to be talking to everybody as soon as God permits me. I am going to apologize for making a mistake in saying that if you don’t pay tithe, you will not be making it to heaven. That is wrong. That is not in the Bible” he said.
The man of God explained that the Bible teaches that peace and holiness are essential for salvation, citing the verse, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time,” he added comparing his previous teaching on tithing to the outdated scientific beliefs, like when people once thought that light only traveled in a straight line.
In April 2018, Pastor Adeboye urged pastors to always remind their congregants that not paying tithes could prevent them from entering heaven.
“Anyone who is not paying his tithe is not going to heaven” he said at the time.
He urged church leaders to return to their congregations and stress the value of tithing.
However, Pastor Adeboye has since acknowledged that this particular teaching was inaccurate.
Despite this, he still encouraged generosity in giving, citing King Solomon as an example.
“Solomon offered abundant sacrifices to God and was blessed with peace and prosperity” emphasizing that giving should be done with a sincere heart, as it invites blessings and divine favor from God.
