The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has apologized for a previous statement in which he suggested that Christians who do not pay tithes might not make it to heaven. Adeboye addressed the matter during the ongoing RCCG Youth Convention at the Redemption City, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
In his apology, Adeboye admitted that his earlier comment, which implied tithing was a requirement for entering heaven, was a “mistake.” He clarified that the Bible emphasizes living peacefully and with holiness as the true prerequisites for salvation. “I apologize for saying ‘If you don’t pay tithe, you might not make it to heaven.’ I’m sorry, that’s wrong, and it’s not in the Bible. What the Bible says is ‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God,’” Adeboye told the youth congregation.
Adeboye, known for his teachings on Christian giving, further explained the concept of tithing, advocating that 10 percent should be seen as a starting point rather than the ceiling for generosity. He referenced his own experience, recalling a conversation with a businessman who pledged to give 90 percent of his income to God after starting his company with just $500. “Five years later, his turnover was $50 million, and from that day onward, I have been steadily increasing my own tithe. I’ve not reached 90 percent yet, but I’m far from 10 percent,” Adeboye revealed.
The revered pastor, also a trained scientist, shared a metaphor to explain his evolving perspective: “It is possible to be both right and wrong at the same time. For years, scientists believed that light traveled in straight lines, only to later discover it travels in waves. In the same way, it would be limiting to stop at 10 percent when we can give more.”
Adeboye concluded by encouraging Christians to seek divine guidance in their giving and to grow beyond the traditional 10 percent tithe as their means allow, highlighting the importance of generosity and stewardship in the Christian faith.
