The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, has explained why Jesus Christ did not collect tithes during His earthly ministry.
During the RCCG’s October Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Adeboye responded to a sermon by an RCCG pastor who argued against tithing, based on the claim that Jesus never collected tithes.
Adeboye apologized for a previous comment he made, suggesting that those who do not pay tithes might not make it to heaven.
He said this was not correct as it was not established in the Bible.
He, however, said Christians should not limit themselves to paying only 10 per cent of their earnings as tithes. He said 10 per cent was for beginners.
He recounted how he watched the pastor’s sermon, hoping to gain insight but found that he only repeated what the others had been saying
Pastor Enoch Adeboye quoted the pastor, “He said we shouldn’t pay tithes because Jesus didn’t collect tithes. I said, ah, Jesus was not a parish pastor. He was a world evangelist.
“Forgive me for saying so, but it was a very shallow sermon.”
In response, Adeboye emphasized that Jesus did not collect tithes because He was not a parish pastor but a global evangelist.
He cited Luke 8:1-3, noting that women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna supported Jesus’ ministry financially.
He added that the apostles also did not collect tithes for the same reason.
Adeboye cautioned against gathering financial support in ways that could lead to moral issues.
