Pastor David Ibiyeomie, lead Pastor of Salvation Ministries, has proclaimed that individuals who do not pay their tithes to the church are criminals.
The televangelist, who compared tithing to paying taxes to the federal government, stated on Sunday that giving 10% of all earnings to the church is required.
Refusing to pay tithe, like tax evasion, is a serious act, according to him.
In his words:
“Tax is the government’s share, so you don’t say I want to give the government my tax, you say you want to pay tax, that is how tithe is God’s own. Leviticus 27:30. God is the owner of the tithe. So, what do you do?
“You pay, it’s only in Nigeria you don’t pay tax and they can leave you, in the Western world it is a big criminal offence, if you don’t pay tithe, you are a criminal, your offence is punishable, tithe is simply one-tenth of your income, 10 per cent of your income goes to God.”
He further stated that if an individual keeps experiencing near success syndrome, it is not because they need deliverance, but it’s because they’re not tithers
The pastor said:
“Near success syndrome will not happen. If you’re experiencing near success syndrome don’t go for deliverance, you’re not a tither. Anything that I do, when it is close to manifestation, the thing will just go off, you’re not a faithful tither.
“Many deliverance ministries, they just go for deliverance, this is the problem, they don’t pay Tithe faithfully. Yet, they will say anything I want to do, when it is about to click it will just go off.
“It is near success syndrome. Correct it from tithing, don’t correct it from seven days deliverance. Hear this, tithe must be paid first otherwise the curse will remain”