General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has disclosed that the church’s tithes and offerings fall short of even covering its electricity expenses.
He emphasised that the financial support from congregants does not fund either his personal lifestyle or the operational costs of the church.
While delivering a sermon, the well-known cleric reassured his followers that he does not depend on their tithes and offerings for his income.
He explained that he has several local and international business ventures that financially sustain him, enabling him to concentrate on his spiritual leadership without worrying about his personal finances.
“I do so many things outside of preaching; when you look at me, don’t think it is your tithing. Because when we talk about the tithing and offering, it doesn’t even pay the electricity bill.
It is just that I don’t like talking about these things. I don’t. So there are other means; I have investments, businesses here and there, home and abroad, by which I make money in my own way.”
“And I am a serious tithe payer. I pay tithe more than you all, I am telling you, and I am very consistent. Sometimes I fight my office; I tell them have you removed the tithe, then I say don’t go there with me. Make sure the tithe is set aside, and paid to the account, and immediately send me a picture that you have paid it before I touch the money. I am a very serious person when it comes to the things of God,” he said.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams criticised certain clergymen who consider themselves too important to contribute tithes.
“And there are preachers who don’t tithe, because they are too big to tithe. They don’t tithe to anything, anybody. They become self-appointed fathers and men of God because they have come into success, power, wealth, and influence. They don’t have the grace to honour the scriptures anymore,” he added.
Tithing has remained one of the controversial subjects in Christendom, with Christians divided over its appropriateness or otherwise.
The conversations have been rekindled after popular Nigerian preacher Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God recently apologised for telling his congregants they would not make it to Heaven if they forfeited on the tithe payment.