“You’re a criminal if you don’t pay tithe; your offence is punishable” – Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministry says all Christians who fail to pay tithes (10 per cent of all their incomes) to the church are criminals.

He also stressed that the offence is punishable and attracts curses.

Ibiyeomie disclosed this while speaking at the church’s service in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

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.

“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.”

His stance comes in the wake of heavy criticism meted out on Pastors following their extravagant lifestyles.

Some of them have private jets, posh cars and are reportedly living large at the expense of their poor congregation.