Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has issued an apology for a previous statement suggesting that Christians who do not pay tithe might not make it to heaven. The revered cleric expressed regret over the comment while addressing a congregation during the ongoing RCCG Youth Convention at the Redemption Camp.
In a video that has gone viral online, Pastor Adeboye acknowledged that his earlier statement was incorrect, admitting it was a “mistake.” He clarified that paying tithe is not a biblical prerequisite for entering heaven, emphasizing instead that peaceful and holy living are the true requirements according to scripture.
“I apologise 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,” Adeboye stated. “What the Bible says is, ‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.’”
The pastor took the opportunity to further explain the error, noting that it is possible to be “right and wrong at the same time.” Drawing from his scientific background, Adeboye compared the situation to the evolving understanding of how light travels. “For years, we thought that light travels in a straight line, but later on, we discovered light also travels in waves,” he said.
While reflecting on the tithing issue, Adeboye argued that it is too limiting to focus solely on the traditional 10% contribution, which is often taught in churches. “It is wrong to limit you to 10% when someone is talking of 20, 30, 40%,” he explained, adding that the 10% tithe should be seen as a starting point for beginners in faith.
Adeboye expressed hope that he would soon have the opportunity to provide more clarity on the subject, stating, “I believe God will give me an opportunity very soon to give you the details.”
His apology has sparked widespread discussion, as Adeboye is one of the most influential religious leaders in Nigeria, and his previous comments on tithing had been the subject of debate within the Christian community. With this clarification, he seeks to reaffirm the importance of living a life of peace and holiness, in line with biblical teachings.
