Apostle Harrison Ayintete has defended the collection of tithes in churches, insisting that members must contribute 10 per cent of their income to support the running of the church, rather than turning the practice into a debate about Melchizedek and the Old Testament.
Speaking on the issue, the cleric argued that churches have financial responsibilities, including providing basic facilities and maintaining church activities.
He said, “There is no scripture that says A church cannot give twenty percent or give thirty percent. 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 ten percent”
To buttress his point, he said “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 hairdressing community. Or we are talking about estate community”
“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 added.
“As a church we have said that ten percent 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
“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 concluded
If You Are With Us, You Must Pay Your 10% Tithe, Leave Old Testament Alone! We Have Church To Run And The Economy Is Tough — Apostle Harrison Ayintete
