This is what Anglican church is doing with your 10%

The Bishop of Lagos West Anglican Communion announced this in a recent interview with The Nation, where he discussed the tithing issue and more ahead of the Diocese’s 18th anniversary.

What the Anglican church uses tithes for

According to him, his church is different from others because of how tithes are used. Bishop Odedeji stated that the church uses tithes for the gospel, not for its priests.

In his words, “The difference between our set up and other denominations is that the tithe is not for the priest. The tithe is for the church. In fact, most of our churches, the highest income they have is from the tithes. If I have to take the tithe of this cathedral, we will not be able to maintain the premises because the bulk of the money that my Cathedral collects is from tithes.

“... So, it might be rocking some other denominations but not the Anglican Church or the Orthodox churches because the tithe is for God and the tithe is being used for the gospel. The tithe is being used for evangelism.

“As a bishop of this Diocese, I’m not entitled to the tithes of the people. I don’t touch it. They don’t give it to me because it is exclusively for the use of the church.

“If it is a one-man church, everything comes to you; your wife is probably the treasurer. It is not like that in the Anglican Church. In the Anglican Church, three people sign a cheque. How does the money belong to the pastor? So the Anglican Church is so different. And that is why we thank God that we have been in existence for more than 150 years and we are still very solid.”

Where does the church stand on tithing?

Bishop Odedeji also revealed the church’s stance on tithing. During the interview, he urged people to stop arguing because paying one’s 10 percent is scriptural.

In his words, “I’ve listened to a lot of debates going on in the recent past and I’m of the opinion that the bible is very clear… And tithe is scriptural.

“It is biblical and the condition is there that if you want God to rebuke devourers and we must allow food to be in the store.

“My stand on tithing is that whatever is scriptural should not be open to debate. It is unfortunate.”

ALSO READ: What popular pastors say about tithing and giving

Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion weighs in

In November, 2017, Nicholas Okoh, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion also shared his thoughts on the controversial tithing issue.

His grace stated that it is not by force to pay your 10% because God does not need tithe to survive. He explained that this is exactly why Christians that do not pay their tithes are not cursed.

In his words, “God does not compel us to go, he only makes us willing to go.

“Tithing is a very ancient tradition, Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek and people have become transfixed to that idea till today, but in the New Testament, giving modalities have other options.

“One, it says, set aside something every week which you think would be handsome for the glory of God and give that. Whether that is 10 percent or whatever percent, I don’t know, but the instruction is, set aside something every week.

“Then, there is the gift required to be given by all; the first concept is that your life is a living sacrifice. A sacrifice is something you offer and withdraw your hand, that means the Christian offers his life totally and the totality of his training, his money and everything he has belonged to God.

“Therefore, the question of saying, ‘God take 10 percent, I would keep 90 percent’ does not arise. Let me give an example: If you are a tither and you give 10 percent to the Church, and after giving this percentage, somebody is very sick, and you still have your 90 percent, will you close your eyes to the person’s need?“You see, that is one of the weaknesses of tithing if you follow it mechanically.”

Meanwhile, other churches say differently on the same issue. Unlike the Anglican Primate, the majority believe tithing is compulsory and non-negotiable.