The founder of Abuja-based Dunamis Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche has said paying of tithe and offering for Christians should not be seen as a compulsory exercise while also urging his listeners never to be agitated when they hear about giving.
Enenche made the point while talking to his congregation in a recent video shared on social media.
He noted that people get unduly agitated when they hear about giving saying there is not a place where the Bible makes giving compulsory.
He however added that paying tithe and offering is a product of revelation and relationship with God.
Making allusion to Abraham, he said, ‘when Abraham paid tithe he did not read it anywhere. He did it as as a result of his relationship with God and revelation from God. It is not a levy. It is not a contribution..It was like God told him if you want the blessing I told you to catch you just give me a percentage.
‘And we saw how Solomon loved the Lord and he gave a thousand burnt offering. That is very important to note. Your relationship with God is much more important than what comes from you to God.’
While stressing that both tithe and offering are not compulsory he told the congregation not to be under any form of pressure to give quoting 2 Corinthians 9v6.. if you are not convinced nothing spoil at all. The work of God was successful before you were born and it will be successful after you might have gone ‘
Enenche said further that any money given towards God’s work with so much grudge is a waste of resources adding that Gods work can never be frustrated because man does not give. ‘ Jesus once sent somebody to the sea side to bring money from the mouth of the fish ‘ he said.
Reflecting on some people who made promises in his church he said, ‘There were people who promised to sponsor the foundation of the church when the construction of the church was going on. But they never showed up and the work did not stop. So many people have made all manner of promises that they did not keep.’
He urged the people to bear in mind that giving to God is a privilege and not that they are doing God a favour.
Enenche recalled how a man came to be a blessing to his ministry and how God transformed his financial life.
‘ The man came to one of our crusades. He said he saw me in a dream and saw that he was connected to me. So he came and gave us support for the crusade and gave his two vehicles to be used for the crusade.’
Enenche said the man came later to share testimonies of how God blessed him tremendously. ‘The man said when he met us, the highest amount he had ever seen was N100 million. But after being a blessing to us as led, his fixed asset alone was in billions and his cash as well.
The Dunamis pastor also stressed that giving does not change God. ‘the people who benefit from giving are those who give, not God. If you give, God is not moved. If you don’t give God is not moved.
He also warned the congregation to stay away from places where they are being put under pressure to give.