Adeboye makes U-turn, apologises for saying non-tithers won’t make heaven

Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has apologised for his previous statement that non-tithers won’t make heaven.

The cleric had initially sparked controversy at one of the church’s conventions when he said, “Anyone who does not pay his tithe is not going to heaven”.

He accused some people of misquoting scripture to avoid paying their tithes. He also stressed the importance of paying 10 percent of one’s income to the church.

“You will have to do both. Pay your tithe, and consider weightier matters of law, judgment and mercy. Do both. I will allow everyone to repent tonight,” he had said.

“And to go back immediately after this convention and restitute your ways with your congregation. Make it clear to them. Anyone who is not paying his tithe is not going to heaven.”

But speaking at the 2024 International Youth Convention, the 82-year-old cleric made a surprising U-turn on his previous stance on tithing.

“I am going to be apologising for making a mistake for saying that if you do not pay tithe you might not make it to heaven. Sorry, that is wrong. That is not in the Bible. What the Bible says is you have peace with all men and holiness without which no man can see God,” he said.

“Now, let me tell you, it is possible to be right and wrong at the same time. I am a scientist I know about it. For years, we taught that light travels in straight lines.

“Later on, we discover that not just straight as a road, light travels in waves. Going in one direction but in waves. It is wrong to limit you to 10 percent. At a time when some of you should be 20 percent, 30 percent, and 40 percent. 10 percent should be for beginners. Giving should be violent.”