Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has issued an apology for his earlier statement that believers who do not pay tithes will not make it to heaven.
Speaking at the ongoing annual national youth convention at RCCG Redemption City, Pastor Adeboye acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I am going to apologize for making a mistake for saying that if you don’t pay tithe, you will not be making it to heaven. That is wrong.”
He emphasized that his statement was not supported by biblical teachings. “What the Bible says is to make peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see God,” he clarified.
Pastor Adeboye illustrated his point by discussing scientific theories, noting, “It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time. For years, we taught that light travels in a straight line. Later we said it travels in waves.”
He recounted a personal experience at a Kenneth E. Hagin convention in Tulsa, United States, where a man vowed to donate more than the total contributions made by all participants for the construction of Rhema Bible College. The man, who started a business with $500 and promised to honor God with his earnings, eventually reported a turnover of $50 million five years later.
Pastor Adeboye encouraged believers to give generously and passionately, using King David as an example of fervent praise and dedication to God. He noted that while many believers start their faith journey with uninhibited worship, their praise often becomes more reserved as they grow. He urged congregants to embrace a more vigorous approach to giving and worship, highlighting King Solomon’s offerings, which led to unprecedented peace and prosperity during his reign.