Apostle Harrison Ayintete has defended the collection of tithes in churches, insisting that members must pay 10 per cent of their income to support church activities and expenses.
The cleric argued that the issue should not be turned into a debate about Melchizedek or the Old Testament. Instead, he said churches need money to run their activities and provide basic facilities.
“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”
Ayintete urged people to view church contributions like payments made to support other communities and institutions.
“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”
He also pointed to the cost of running a church, including buying diesel and microphones.
“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.
The cleric maintained that the 10 per cent contribution was a requirement for members of his church.
“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
