Ex-pastor of the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, has stated that running a ministry is capital intensive, noting that this is the reason God asked for tithes to meet the needs of His house.
Speaking on Sunday during the church’s second service at Civic Centre, Iluyomade said, “Ministry costs money—that’s why God said we should bring tithes to the needs of His house are met. Concerning offerings, God said everyone should give according to how He has blessed them. Naturally, the rich should give more than those with less. We must give in proportion to our prosperity.”
The cleric further encouraged Christians to live holy and righteous lives, warning against neglecting these foundational aspects of faith.
He, however, announced that his newly established ministry, The Family Fellowship, has acquired a permanent site at Eko Atlantic revealing that the land was donated by a member of the church.
He used the occasion to encourage Christians to embrace the act of giving, both to their fellow humans and to support God’s work.
According to him, many believers struggle with the principle of giving, which he described as a sacrificial act that brings God’s blessings.
In his sermon, titled “Giving,” Pastor Iluyomade emphasized the importance of understanding biblical principles on offerings and tithes.
He said, “As believers, you have to be very careful because there are all kinds of doctrines flying around today. I want us to reason together because there have been many teachings concerning giving. If you are not careful, you will miss it in this area, and that is the gospel truth.”
He continued: “Your giving begins with your offering. Tithe belongs to God—10 per cent of your income belongs to Him. And God knows mathematics. Many people avoid reading Malachi 3, where God complains about people robbing Him in tithes and offerings.”
“We need to repent. If God calls us robbers, we should ask ourselves: will any robber enter heaven? And how much is this 10 per cent that God is asking for? If I were God, maybe I would ask for more, but He only asks for 10 per cent to bless the remaining. Let’s reflect on that.”
Iluyomade also urged worshippers not to adopt a lackadaisical attitude toward paying their tithes. However, he stressed the equal importance of helping the poor and needy, particularly in challenging times.
During the service, two members of the church contributed ₦4 million to Bethesda Home & School for the Blind, demonstrating the spirit of generosity Pastor Iluyomade highlighted in his sermon.
