Are Christians being swindled through tithe?

Although he had all the powers to enable him gain riches, Jesus Christ did not exploit this for self aggrandisement.

He lived a simple and humble life; probably beyond human imagination. It was and still is beyond human imagination because the world has seen how clergymen and spiritual leaders are exploiting Churches to enrich themselves.

In Nigeria, for instance, clerics have successfully earned themselves places in a tiny room of wealthiest people around the world.

In March 2012, David Oyedepo, a Nigerian cleric generally believed to be Africa’s wealthiest gospel preacher, acquired a Gulfstream V jet for US$30 million (about K10 billion). Oyedepo, who presides over Winners Chapel, one of Africa’s largest churches, now owns a private collection of four aircraft.

In addition to his latest acquisition, he previously owned two Gulfstream planes and a Bombardier Challenger Aircraft. He is also reportedly creating a private hanger to accommodate his flying toys.

Oyedepo is not the only Nigerian clergyman to own a jet. Many others have bought planes with money from their churches and ministries.

It is such stories that make Chikondi Banda [not her real name] of Soche Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) to think that unlike in the ancient times, tithe nowadays do not serve to propagate the kingdom of God, but to enrich ‘pastors and their families’.

She even complains of the extravagant lifestyle some spiritual leaders are leading on the account of desperate and poor souls.

“Every Saturday and Sunday, swarms of worshipers rush to church to give their hard-earned money to pastors’ coffers in the form of tithe, offerings and special gifts with the deluded hope of multiplied financial blessings in return.

“For many, this is but a pipe dream. Deep down, the pastors smile; they get what they look for without working for it. It’s unfortunate that poor people are being swindled through tithe,” says Banda.

But is it true that pastors and spiritual leaders are fleecing the faithful by giving the latter false hopes?  Between the pastor and the giver, who benefits from tithe, really?

An elder at Living Waters Church, Dings Mpota, contends that the aim of tithe is not to rip the poor off, but enrich them through bounty blessings God pours upon those who obey this commandment.

“Actually, every Christian who is not tithing is simply denying himself or herself of the blessings God set aside for them.

“God is the source of all good things one would think of. I, therefore, urge all people to think of the great grace and mercies of God and compare that with the money they give to church,” explains Mpota.

Samuel Chiwaka, a businessperson who lives in Blantyre, says he does not fear abuse of tithe by pastors before fulfilling his obligation to God.

“If we go by the Bible, tithe is to be eaten by a man of God while offerings are supposed to help with church projects. Only that the tithe is being misappropriated as it is being used for other purposes. Not that I am a devoted Christian, I just know a thing or two about it,” says Chiwaka.

Pastor Mark Kayenda of the Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) holds a different view on how tithe should be used.

He recommends that pastors should not be involved in the church finances to purge off the mistrust Christians have with their leaders.

“When collected, all the tithe should be submitted into the hands of the church committee, which will then apportion that money according to the needs, including paying pastors’ allowances. The pastor should not have any role in the usage of tithe,” Kayenda advises.