Pastor Adeboye’s Apology on Tithing – A Sincere Admission or Veiled Sarcasm?
By Matthew Eloyi
Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s recent apology for his earlier claim that Christians who fail to pay tithe might not make it to heaven has sparked widespread debate. In a video circulating on the internet, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) expressed regret over his controversial statement, acknowledging it was a “mistake.” However, many are left wondering if this was indeed a heartfelt apology or a clever use of sarcasm masked by an explanation.
While addressing a youth congregation at the RCCG Youth Convention, Adeboye admitted that his earlier statement was not biblically accurate. “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,” he said, quoting Hebrews 12:14, which emphasises peace and holiness as the true prerequisites for heaven. At first glance, this seems like a straightforward admission of error, a rare moment of vulnerability from a leader of his stature. But a closer look reveals nuances that could hint at something else entirely.
Following his apology, Adeboye quickly delved into a cryptic explanation, invoking his background as a scientist. He stated, “It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time.” Using the analogy of light, he referenced how scientific understanding evolved from the belief that light travels in a straight line to the discovery that it travels in waves. This seemingly unrelated detour left many questioning its relevance to the topic at hand—was it a genuine attempt to illustrate his point, or was it a subtle way of suggesting that his earlier position on tithing was only “partially wrong”?
Adding to the ambiguity, Adeboye hinted that the tithe itself should not be restricted to just 10 percent, calling it “for beginners.” He implied that giving beyond the traditional tithe could be more virtuous, though he stopped short of explicitly reinforcing his earlier claim that not tithing could cost a person salvation. “I believe God will give me an opportunity very soon to give you the details,” he remarked, leaving the matter open-ended and adding a layer of anticipation for future clarifications.
So, was this a true apology? Or was it an exercise in subtlety, where Adeboye disavows a literal interpretation of his earlier claim while reinforcing the spirit of the message? His choice of words and analogies could be interpreted as a strategic way of appeasing critics without fully backing away from his core position on tithing.
This analysis raises the question of whether Pastor Adeboye’s apology was intended to quell controversy or if it was a calculated move to maintain his stance while addressing growing dissent. His comment on 10 percent tithing being just the “beginner’s level” could be seen as a redirection rather than a retraction. Ultimately, the sincerity of his apology remains subject to interpretation, but the ambiguity it presents invites skepticism about whether the pastor was truly acknowledging a mistake or artfully deflecting criticism.