REDEMPTION CAMP, Nigeria — Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has responded to widespread criticism over birthday gifts given to fellow clergyman Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church, during his 70th birthday celebration.
The gifts, which included a Rolls Royce and N1 billion, sparked debate across Nigeria, with many questioning the appropriateness of such opulence in the church.
The high-profile gift became a trending topic on social media, with a cross-section of Nigerians voicing their concerns about the optics of wealth and luxury within religious institutions.
Some expressed discomfort, suggesting that clergy should lead more modest lives, while others defended the practice as a form of honour.
In a video that has since gone viral, Pastor Adeboye addressed the controversy during a service at the RCCG’s Redemption City in Ogun State, where he explained his position on the matter.
“Someone gave a bishop a car and some people got very upset that how can a bishop be driving a Rolls Royce?” Adeboye said. “As if once you are a bishop, you must die of hunger.”
The 82-year-old pastor further argued that, in his view, it is better to die wealthy than to face the scorn that comes with poverty.
“Let me tell you, my beloved children, if you die poor they will blame you,” he said. “They will say after all these days of you serving God, this is how you end? If you can’t pay your rent, they will say where is your God?”
Adeboye’s remarks emphasized the inevitability of criticism, regardless of one’s financial situation.
“If all of a sudden you start riding a Rolls Royce they will attack you, so which of the two do you choose? They are going to attack you anyway, whether you die of poverty or you live in abundance,” he added.
The discussion around wealth in the Nigerian church has long been a contentious issue, with many seeing clergy members as stewards of public faith and responsibility.
Critics argue that displays of wealth by religious leaders can appear out of touch with the economic realities of many Nigerians, while supporters view such gifts as signs of divine favor and blessings.
While Adeboye acknowledged the criticism, he doubled down on the importance of giving.
He recounted an experience at Kenneth Hagin’s ministry, where a man committed to giving 90% of his income as tithe, which led to immense financial success.
“Today, I’m close to giving 90%, but I am far from 10%,” he explained. “So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10% when God can take you to a higher percentage.”
As the debate continues, Adeboye’s comments offer a window into his philosophy on wealth and faith, raising broader questions about the role of financial prosperity in religious life in Nigeria.
