Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has publicly apologized for a past statement in which he claimed that Christians who do not pay tithes will not make it to heaven. Adeboye expressed regret over the comment during a message at the RCCG’s ongoing annual national youth convention, held at Redemption City.
Speaking directly to the congregation, Adeboye admitted his mistake and clarified that the statement was not biblically accurate. He said, “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 make it to heaven. That is wrong.”
He further explained, “That is not in the Bible. What the Bible says is to follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God. It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time.”
Adeboye used a scientific analogy to illustrate how a belief can be both correct and incorrect at different times. “For years, we taught that light travels in a straight line. Later, we learned it also travels in waves,” he explained, likening this to the misunderstanding of his earlier teaching on tithing.
Inspiration from a Personal Experience
Pastor Adeboye also shared an experience he had while attending a convention held by the ministry of Kenneth E. Hagin in Tulsa, United States. During the event, a man promised to donate more money to the building of Rhema Bible College than all the other participants combined, who had collectively raised $3.5 million.
The man had started his business with just $500 and made a promise to God that if his business became successful, he wouldn’t insult God by only giving 10% in tithes. “Five years after starting his business, the man said he was making a turnover of $50 million,” Adeboye recalled. “That inspired me to also give generously toward God’s work.”
Praise and Giving: Lessons from David and Solomon
Adeboye emphasized that for believers to experience God’s blessings and dominance in life, they must know how to praise and give to God with intensity. He used the biblical story of King David as an example, highlighting how David became king not because he was the eldest or most qualified, but because he praised God passionately and “violently.”
“David didn’t praise God gently, but with all his might,” Adeboye explained. “Even after he became king, he danced so vigorously that his wife mocked him.” He then encouraged the congregation to rekindle their fervor for praising God, stating that people often become too “civilized” in their worship as they grow in their faith.
Adeboye also referenced King Solomon, whose generous offering to God led to peace throughout his reign. “King Solomon gave thousands of burnt offerings, and God said there would never be a king like him before or after,” Adeboye noted. “Solomon didn’t have to fight a single war, even though kings usually fight to protect their domains.”
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Final Words
In closing, Pastor Adeboye urged Christians to praise God and give generously without reservation, as these acts of faith would attract divine favor. He also reminded them that mistakes are part of learning, and it is important to correct misunderstandings and move forward in truth.
This apology has been met with widespread attention, as many believers had previously followed Adeboye’s teaching on tithing. The pastor’s humility in acknowledging his mistake has resonated with many, reinforcing his commitment to teaching the Word of God accurately and responsibly.