Tithing: How financial breakthrough steered controversy

Financial breakthrough has been a recurring topic in Christendom , where pastors and church leaders convince followers that by paying their tithe and offering, their prosperity will come.

But some Christians have always asked; ‘where do our tithes and offerings go?’ How does giving to the church make us wealthy? They have also wondered if their hard earned money is being used to enrich others.?

There is no doubt that in this present world, there is a brand of false prophets who own and create churches for the purpose of getting rich and leading other Christians astray by preaching false doctrines and padding the bible with their versions of what they preach as truth.

Although the subject of financial breakthrough cuts across denominations and spreads around countries, the Nigeria’s situation calls for urgency. The call for churches to pay tax comes to mind when you see pastors and church leaders living above men.

Some Nigerians who spoke on this matter shared divergent opinions. While some believe that whatever they drop in the ‘offering basket’ goes directly to heaven, others think the pastors should give account to God.

Some other Christians would not want to know how the money is spent while others said anything given in the church is used for maintaining the pulpit and the priest.

Some also noted that the Tithe controversy has ruined the minds of some Christians, making some to be afraid to pay tithe to their various churches.

Speaking, Mr Jude Adetomi said,”At this point, it’s quite alarming, I don’t even know if am giving for God to bless me or I’m just adding to someone’s private jet money. If really it’s the church, why can’t they take all that money and give the needy instead of buying jets with it? Are we not supposed to be blessings to others? “he said.

One Mrs Clara Kachi said, “Personally, I believe that I’m doing the right thing by giving, and if for some reason the pastors decide to pocket the money, it’s between them and God but as for me, I have done what is right in front of God and will receive his blessing. “

According to a Controversial On Air Personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze, who claims to be unveiling some of the false teaching taught by pastors, “ Tithing is an unprofitable venture because its payment brings curses!

Quoting Gal 3:10, the self-proclaimed preacher maintained that payment of tithe was an anti-Christ doctrine, adding that Jesus and his disciples never collected such.

Reacting to this, a Pentecostal pastor of one of the new generational churches said that the opinion that those who tithe are under a curse is a misconception.

He said,” We are not under the law but under grace. Tithing is a covenant of prosperity, it is not compulsory, it is for people who have the understanding of the covenant.

“Tithing is a form a giving, the covenant of prosperity is ‘give and it shall be given unto you’, so when you give alms,to the needy, your parents, you also need to give your tithe because it is actually very important as it opens the door of blessings.”