Nigerian clergyman Pastor E.A Adeboye has drawn significant attention on social media after issuing a public apology for a past comment on tithing. In a recently circulated video, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God admitted that his previous statement—claiming that those who don’t pay tithe would not make it to heaven—was incorrect. Adeboye acknowledged that this teaching is not rooted in the Bible, emphasizing instead that the Bible focuses on following peace and holiness.
His apology was met with widespread approval from netizens, who praised the pastor for his humility in addressing the matter.
One user, Sandy Coco, commented, “I love the fact he acknowledged his mistake and apologized in public. Kudos to him.” Another, Engineer Tina, noted, “A pastor who acknowledges a mistake? Even the Bible encourages that, it was good of him.”
Other users applauded the transparency and accountability shown by the pastor. “I applaud this generation..now, pastors and elders come out to address things that they said wrongly. On a normal day, they will just overlook it and move on,” wrote one Ayomi__X.
While many praised Adeboye for his maturity, some responses took a humorous turn. A user named Sober Drunk88 quipped, “Where can we apply for a refund?”—referencing the financial commitment many church members have made through tithing.
This moment of reflection by Adeboye follows a trend among prominent religious leaders reconsidering traditional teachings. A year earlier, Pastor Kumuyi, founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, advised Christians to focus their offerings on helping the poor and unemployed rather than solely funding church buildings. Additionally, in December, activist Charly Boy sparked conversation when he criticized religious practices as a business, reacting to a viral video in which Pastor Adeboye was soliciting donations ranging from ₦100 million to ₦1 billion.
