The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, made a significant apology during the International Youth Convention, retracting a previous statement about tithing and salvation.
The Alarmee reports that while speaking to a large gathering of youth, Pastor Adeboye admitted he had been mistaken in suggesting that failure to pay tithes could affect one’s chance of entering heaven.
“I’m going to be apologising for making a mistake, saying that if you don’t pay tithe, you might not make it to heaven. I’m sorry, that’s wrong. That’s not in the Bible,” he said.
Clarifying his point, he emphasised that the Bible teaches the importance of living in peace and holiness, quoting the scripture: “Be at peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God.”
Pastor Adeboye then went on to explain how being both right and wrong is possible, drawing on his scientific background.
He compared the misunderstanding to how light was once believed to travel only in straight lines, only for science to later reveal that light also travels in waves.
He used this analogy to highlight that limiting tithing to 10 percent might be too rigid, suggesting that believers should aim to give more as they grow in faith, beyond the “beginner” level of 10 percent.
The apology was met with respect and appreciation from attendees, many of whom saw it as a humble and honest reflection from one of Nigeria’s most influential pastors.