Nigerian activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised Nigerians who consistently try to prevent others from paying their tithes.
Adeyanju’s remarks followed a statement by Becky Enenche, wife of Paul Enenche, founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, who warned that any Christian who neglects to pay their tithe “will go back to square one.”
The statement, made in a now-viral video, advised Christians to remain consistent in paying their tithes, as failure to do so could negatively impact their blessings from God. The video sparked widespread backlash from online users.
In response, Adeyanju issued a brief statement defending the practice of paying tithes. He emphasized that no one is coerced into making tithe payments, asserting that individuals can attend church services without contributing tithes or offerings.
He further explained that those who choose to pay their tithes are experiencing the benefits of their faith, and he saw nothing wrong with Pastor Becky Enenche’s message to her congregation.
“Nobody forces anyone to pay tithes or offerings in church,” Adeyanju said. “You can attend a church service without paying tithes or offerings, and no one will force you. The people who are always vocal about tithes and offerings are often the ones who don’t even pay tithes.”
He continued, “I’ve never seen where people try to dictate how others spend their money. If I pay tithes and God answers my prayers, what concern is that of yours? When you go to the bar and buy alcohol, do we interfere with your life? Do we tell you what to do? Many of us believe that tithes and offerings are essential to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Adeyanju also criticized those who actively discourage others from supporting the work of the church. “People who pay tithes should continue paying,” he stated. “Stop trying to police others. You don’t pay tithes, so why evangelize against it?”
He affirmed his support for Pastor Becky Enenche’s message, saying, “For those of us who believe in tithing, we are happy to do so, and we know that if we stop, we’ll be back to square one. That’s why we won’t stop.”
Adeyanju also called for respect for religious beliefs, adding, “We should respect each other’s views and religious freedoms. We don’t criticize your lifestyle choices, so why attack our religious practices? The minimum expectation is that you respect other people’s right to religious freedom and belief.”