The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has denied claims that he asked Christians to stop paying tithes.

The cleric on Thursday apologised for saying in one of his messages that anybody who does not pay tithe will not make heaven.

However, he said his apology message was misinterpreted stating how surprised he was by how quickly false reports spread online, claiming he had discouraged tithe payment.

Making clarifications during the church’s October Holy Ghost Service on Saturday at the Redemption City on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Adeboye addressed the misrepresentations that has now stirred controversy among social media users.

Adeboye acknowledged that he apologised for any previous statements on tithing that may have been misunderstood. 

He said: “The issue of tithing became contentious, and I decided to apologise for anything I might have said wrong. 

“Yet, within an hour, it was being circulated online that I said Christians should stop paying tithes “

He further explained he encouraged believers to give more than the traditional 10 percent, referencing an encounter at Kenneth Hagin’s church where a man shared how his financial situation improved after committing to tithe 90% of his income.

He said: “Today, I’m close to giving 90 percent but I am far from 10 percent. So, I said it is wrong to limit yourself to 10 percent when God can take you to a higher percentage.

“As you grow in the Lord, you should grow in praising Him, winning souls, and in giving. 

“I said that for beginners, the minimum is what God calls 10 percent. I said, from now on, begin to increase what you give.

“Of all I said, the only thing they put on the internet is that Adeboye apologised, and therefore, people should no longer pay their tithes. I said 10 percent should be the minimum.”