Unbiblical Teachings on Tithing in Our Churches

Over the past two to three years, there has been a serious debate about tithing among Nigerian Christians. Some say tithing is an Old Testament doctrine and pastors use Malachi 3:10 to cheat the faithful out of their hard-earned money. Others defend tithing as a biblical doctrine that every Christian must embrace.

Many pastors, in their efforts to ensure that their congregations tithe regularly, have resorted to unbiblical sermons on tithing. They use threats, fear and intimidation to convince their followers to tithe. They firmly believe that fear is the key that opens the wallets and purses of the faithful. The psychological manipulations taking place in many African churches are alarming. Preachers abandoned their Bibles in favor of extortion.

Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church also preached a message saying Job lost everything he had because he failed to pay his tithe. He told the Church that there was no place where Job would have paid tithes. While noting that Job gave to the poor, he said that because he did not tithe, he did not have God’s protection. According to Bishop Oyedepo: “You cannot see anywhere where Job gave tithe. His blessing was therefore not assured. You can’t find anywhere where Job tithed. No! He was too determined to give generously to the poor and God was committed to blessing him. But there was no security.

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I looked in the Bible verses where it said Job had no security because he didn’t tithe, but I couldn’t find any.

Many other pastors who have turned the Bible upside down to convince their followers to tithe should publicly repent, so that Mammon will be put to shame. Jesus was emphatic when he warned us against the love of money: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will devote yourself to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 16:24).

Perverting God’s Word for money is a clear indication that Mammon is taking over the churches. The faithful must be wary and must not be gullible. Preachers who place too much emphasis on money, prosperity, and physical well-being at the expense of the salvation and spiritual growth of their followers should be exposed, not tolerated.