Apostle Harrison Ayintete has defended the collection of tithes in churches, insisting that members of his church must pay 10 per cent of their income to support its running costs.
The cleric argued that churches have financial responsibilities, including purchasing diesel, maintaining equipment and providing facilities for worshippers.
Speaking on the issue, Ayintete said the decision to collect tithes should not be reduced to debates about biblical references to Melchizedek or the Old Testament.
“There is no scripture that says a church cannot give 20 per cent or give 30 per cent. If the early church could come together and say we are selling our land and we are giving everything, so we can also come together and say we are doing 10 per cent,” he said.
Ayintete compared the arrangement to contributions made by members of professional communities to meet shared expenses.
“So let us leave Melchizedek out of the conversation. Leave Old Testament out of the conversation. Let us talk about it like we are talking about a barbing community, or we are talking about a hairdressing community, or we are talking about an estate community,” he added.
The apostle said his church had determined that 10 per cent of members’ individual incomes would help meet its financial needs.
“As a church, we have said that 10 per cent of individual members’ income is what we cater to what we need in this church. And you must give it. If you say you are a member, you give it,” he said.
He further emphasised the church’s operational expenses, asking worshippers to consider the cost of diesel and microphones.
“We have a church to run, yes or no? There is diesel to buy, yes or no? There’s microphone to buy, yes or no?” he asked.
Ayintete concluded by reiterating that members who identify with the church are expected to comply with its tithe policy.
“Leave Melchizedek. Leave Old Testament. Na the levy we dey collect be this for this particular institution. If you say you are with us, you give it,” he said.
Discussion0