A Nigerian prison officer, currently based in the UK, has sparked a lively debate about tithing after revealing he stopped paying monthly tithes to his home church following his relocation.
In a candid post, the officer, who shared his story on social media, explained that he faithfully paid tithes while living in Nigeria but sent tithe to his home church only twice after moving to the UK before stopping completely. When his mother questioned him about the change, he told her that tithing isn’t compulsory in the UK, highlighting a key difference in church practice.
“We eat every Sunday, and there’s a place you can pick up free food if you don’t have any at home,” he said. “All the tithe we paid in church in Nigeria – where did it go? There was never a time we had food for the poor or a room where food was kept. Isn’t that the essence of tithe?” His mother reportedly accused him of “backsliding,” but he clarified that his decision is a personal conviction.
Rather than abandoning giving, he now channels his support differently. “I invest more in taking care of my parents and helping friends and family,” he wrote. “When the church has a special program, I contribute heavily.” He’s also sponsored gospel artists, bought equipment for churches, and distributed food to members of his home church and friends during festive periods.
The officer emphasized that his approach isn’t about showing off or feeling superior. “We contribute to God’s work differently, and I believe in taking care of my elders, family, and friends more.” He concluded with a straightforward message: “If you believe in tithing, please pay it. Don’t use my story to stop paying tithe if your personal conviction hasn’t shifted.”
