Sadly, this is how many Nigerian Pastors use God to make money
For some preachers, tithing is just another way to collect money from church members.
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It was the thing that supposedly got God to bless you and without it, you were cursed, according to our pastors.
Now, it is one of the most talked subjects right now. Some might argue that this is all thanks to Daddy Freeze, who has been very vocal about his contempt for pastors that take advantage of their members.
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Regardless of who started it, the issue is here and it's not going away anytime soon.
So, what is tithing?
It is giving 10% of your income to your pastor or church. This is based on Malachi 3:10 for most preachers.
Sadly, this has just become another way for preachers to swindle their church members.
This was rightfully pointed out by scriptwriter Dami Elebe. Using her Twitter account, she started a thread on the issue on November 12, 2017.
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She writes, “There’s something sad about the way God is portrayed when it comes to these transactional preachings about giving the church money.
“It is unfortunate that the people who should teach the gospel are arm-twisting people to give all they’ve got in hopes to get more from God.
“Some people will go as far as allowing their congregation to make the clear assumption that a certain punishment will be yours if you don’t pay tithes or give offering.”
Lately, her sentiments have been echoed by many people including Femi Aribisala, a scholar and international affairs expert. He also happens to be a pastor.
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In a Sahara reporters article titled ‘Don’t Persecute Daddy Freeze: Tithing Today Is A Scam,’ he basically says what Ebele says in different words.’
The last paragraph reads, “Therefore, the law on tithes is inapplicable to Nigerians. Tithing was primarily applicable to Jews in Israel. When Jewish populations grew in Babylon, Ammon, Moab and Syria, these lands also became tithe-able lands. However, tithes were unacceptable from strictly Gentile lands. So it makes no sense to tithe in Nigeria…
“You cannot cherry-pick what to obey in the law: “The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” (James2:10). Therefore, if Nigerian pastors insist on tithing, they must also insist on all other stringent requirements of the law; including the stoning to death of adulterers, disobedient children, homosexuals and Sabbath violators. They should also restore blood-sacrifices for good measure. The fact that they don’t attest eloquently to their duplicity.”
These two, like most, agree that tithing is just something that pastors use to their own advantage.
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Is everyone on the same page when it comes to tithing?
Of course, not everyone agrees. The issue has become a major cause of disagreement. While many side with the Daddy Freezes and Dami Ebeles, others do not.
As you can imagine, this second group include the pastors themselves and some Christians.
Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, Paul Adefarasin, Apostle Johnson Suleman all say that tithing is important and beneficial.
In fact, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) General Overseer warns people not to let others sway them from God’s goodwill.
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In his words, “Please do not let anybody get you into trouble by attracting God’s curse to yourself, please pay your tithe.”
In spite of this clear warning, some pastors have boldly called tithing a scam and sin.
This makes tithing an extremely confusing subject but still does not change the fact.
Tithing is simply another way for some preachers to make money off their church members.
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