REDEMPTION CITY, Nigeria — Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has issued a public apology for a previous statement in which he suggested that believers who do not pay tithes would not make it to heaven.
During a sermon at the RCCG’s ongoing annual national youth convention at Redemption City, Pastor Adeboye addressed his earlier comments, acknowledging that they were incorrect and not aligned with biblical teachings.
“I am going to apologise for making a mistake by saying that if you don’t pay tithe, you will not be making it to heaven. That is wrong,” Adeboye stated.
“That is not in the Bible. What the Bible says is to make peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see God.”
Clarification on Biblical Teachings
Adeboye emphasised that the focus of scripture is on pursuing peace and holiness, as outlined in Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
He used this moment to reflect on how one can be both “right and wrong” in understanding certain teachings, referencing the evolution of scientific understanding as an analogy.
“It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time,” Adeboye said. “For years, we taught that light travels in a straight line. Later we say it travels in waves.”
Inspired by Giving
Adeboye also shared a personal story from one of his experiences at a Kenneth E. Hagin convention in Tulsa, United States.
He recounted how a man, who had started a business with $500, pledged to give more than all participants combined toward the building of the Rhema Bible College.
The participants had collectively donated $3.5 million, but the man promised to exceed that amount.
“The man told me how he had started a business with 500 dollars and had told God if he blessed him, he would not insult Him with 10 per cent,” Adeboye said, emphasising the man’s abundant giving as a form of worship.
Adeboye reflected on how the man’s commitment to giving inspired him to give toward God’s work with fervor, adding that giving “violently” is a key to spiritual domination.
The Power of Praise and Violent Giving
Adeboye stressed the importance of praising God with passion and giving generously, drawing on biblical examples such as King David, who praised God with all his might, and King Solomon, whose extravagant offerings earned him peace and favour from God.
“If you want to dominate, you must know how to praise God violently,” Adeboye preached.
“David, even after he became king, danced so vigorously that even his wife mocked him.”
He continued, “Your giving must be of the violent type. King Solomon gave thousands of burnt offerings to God, and God said there would not be a king before or after him, and he would not fight a single war.”
Adeboye’s apology marks an important clarification in the ongoing discussions about tithing and biblical teachings within the Christian community.
As the convention continues, his message of humility, correction, and encouragement for “violent praise” and giving is expected to resonate with believers across the RCCG and beyond.
