So again, I was tagged in this video posted by Yabaleft's page. First, I must state clearly that I saw days like this coming, days where financial responsibility would be taught on our pulpits based on New Testament principles. I've taught this on my platforms, over and again, and even written books on it as far back as 2017. A believer in Christ should be trained to give 100 percent, not just 10 percent.
The believer in Christ shouldn't be coerced or threatened into giving, rather, the vision of kingdom advancement should be shared with him till he's matured enough to shoulder kingdom responsibilities. Giving must come from a willing heart as far as a Christian is concerned, not out of coercion or a threat.
It's only for lack of a better name that we've maintained the name "tithe", otherwise what would you call it when a person gives more than ten percent. For instance, 35 percent of my income goes into the kingdom, that can no longer be called tithe. For the last couple of years, I've trained myself to increase my "tithe" by certain percentages yearly. It's not a very easy process, especially while you're still working on your financial life, but I've realized that there's a way it draws my heart towards God. I find that scripture to be true in my life, "Where a man's treasure is, there also will his heart be".
Hope you won't misquote or misunderstand what I just said, giving to the kingdom may not draw your heart to God if your givings aren't costing you. The reason why many people who lose close relationships run into depression is usually because of the sacrifices they've made while in that relationship. If there was no sacrifice or investments, they'd probably miss the person for a while, and that would be all.
I've seen people who lost their parents yet not a single tears dropped from their eyes. Infact, they had to pretend as though they felt bad just so people will not suspect them for anything. Knowing their story, I could tell that it was because there was no sacrifice in the relationship. Sacrifice and investments makes the heart more attentive to the people who are receiving the sacrifice. Note that I said it makes your heart more attentive to the party you're investing in or making sacrifices for. If you're making sacrifices towards kingdom, your heart would naturally become more sensitive to God, His Word, and His kingdom.
Men of God who understand this live very sacrificial lives. I know a pastor who would never allow the money in his personal account to be more than the money he has in his kingdom project account. Even if there's no project to do, he keeps sending more there. Personally, I have an account where I save 25 percent of my income for kingdom projects😂. Let me guess, my own don too much abi? But no, the goal is to be able to do hundred person. That's the New Testament standard. If you're about to ask me what I'd live on when I get there, I'd also find out when I get there😂. In the Old Testament, they were trained by force; in the New Testament, we train ourselves by choice. The extent at which you've trained yourself will show in the level of grace you walk in. If you can drink from the cup that I drink, then you can enjoy the grace I enjoy.
Now to what some group of people have been waiting for, I would have given credit to Dr Abel Damina for this, fortunately, he already took the credit when he talked about this matter without love. This has always been my stand, and it will remain my stand.
Papa Adeboye has never boasted to be an island of revelational knowledge, more reason why your corrections to his teachings or any preacher's teaching in his category must be done in love and respect. Imagine for a moment that Papa Adeboye made his speech in this manner:
"Dear believers in Christ,
I want to apologize for making a mistake, for saying if you don't pay tithe, you may not make it to heaven. That's wrong and not scriptural. I realized this after Dr Abel Damina, a fellow steward in the kingdom drew my attention to it. I had to revisit my convictions and realized that tithing is not a requirement for making heaven... ".
Dear Daminians, please tell me with honesty in your heart, how would you feel if Papa Adeboye began with this instead? Do you know the positive impact it would make on the body of Christ? And how much glory would go to God?
If you still don't understand me at this point, then I really cannot do much than to pray for bitterness to be taken out of your soul. Correction should be a normal thing within the body, but it should be done in love and respect. It's not a debate about who knows it better.
I'd be respectfully responding to comments as usual, but that's only if I discern that you wholly read the article and made your comment with respect.
For the record, this doesn't change how I feel about Papa Adeboye, I still love him as a father in the faith. It also doesn't change how I feel about Dr Abel Damina, I love him, but he needs to start making his corrections in love and respect.
Remain ever blessed!
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Good point here
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