Subsidy Removal : Cleric puts tithes, offerings on hold
plans sales of food stuffs to residents at a Reduced Price
Pastor Oye Baruwa of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church , Talitakumi Parish , Ijoko , has announced the temporary stoppage of payment of tithes and offerings by his congregations .
The development according to the cleric is to support members of the church at this trying time which emanated from the fuel subsidy removal .
The cleric revealed that church members , community residents and non christians would have access to food stuffs at a reduced price every first Sunday of the month .
According to Pastor Baruwa, “the removal of the fuel subsidy and the soaring cost of foodstuffs have significantly strained his congregation’s finances. Many members struggle to afford transportation to church and still contribute offerings, leaving them in dire financial situations.
“If someone has only N3,000 and spends N2,000 on transportation, how can they survive if they also need to pay the church offering?”
“Stopping the offering doesn’t mean I will not eat. God will still send help.”
The pastor insisted that true blessings come from God regardless of financial contributions, adding the practice of pressuring congregants into giving beyond their means are inconsiderate and unkind.
“God will bless those who don’t have money to pay offerings, we are essentially forcing those without means to give, and that is not acceptable to God,” he said.
Pastor Baruwa urged other church leaders to adopt similar measures, criticizing those who prioritize wealth accumulation over their congregants’ well-being.
He submitted that true pastoral calling involves trusting in divine provision and prioritizing the congregation’s needs.
“I’m against the belief that God will not bless members who don’t pay tithes or offerings. Many pastors refuse to follow this because they focus on getting richer while the poor remain poor,” “If God has truly called you, He will provide for your needs.
Addressing concerns about church finances, Pastor Baruwa assured that the church project, ongoing before the cessation of offerings, continues unabated. He shared instances of unexpected support, underscoring his faith in divine provision.
“People assist in various ways. It’s not about loud proclamations in church but about ensuring members’ happiness and well-being,” he explained.