The Founder and Leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah has described renowned lawyer and Member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto as a poor person the reason why the latter is not willing to pay his tithes.
The former President of the Ghana Bar Association has lashed out at pastors who demand tithes from their church members.
According to Mr. Okudzeto, he does not believe in the concept of tithe because it is a blackmailing tool for pastors to demand money from their congregants, adding that pastors are using an old mathematical concept of the old testament to entice innocent congregants to give them money which ends in their personal pocket.
In a recent interview on Good Evening Ghana show on Metro TV lawyer Okudzeto lamented about the springing up churches particularly in the capital Accra as a result of the monetary benefits pastors are making from the church business.
“I have a different concept of tithe and I have argued with pastors about it. They are using the tithe to blackmail people to give money and I say it is wrong. I give but I don’t pay tithe and I help those who are in need.
“They are using the book of Malachi to entice people to give and that money does not go to the needy but to enrich themselves. That is why everyone is opening a church. Every corner you turned in Accra there is a church.’’ He lamented.
He further admonished Christians to come out from the illusion that their blessings are tied onto payment of tithe.
“God does not bless you because you pathetic. God blesses you because you worship him. He blesses you because love your neighbor as yourself and you provide for him when he has need. That is what God wants us to do. We are turning the bible upside down.’’ He stated.
But Rev. Owusu Ansah appearing on the same show on Thursday slammed the legal luminary’s position on tithe urging him not to discourage people from paying tithes if he’s not prepared to pay himself.
“He believes in the Bible and he should read Acts 4:32-35 when Peter asked the Nazerens (Christians)to go sell their properties and bring the proceeds to be used for the work of God, what he said is more than paying your tithes. When Ananias and Saphira sold their property and pocketed some of the money they got and told a lie, the Holy Spirit killed them instantly. What will this man (Sam Okudzeto)have done if he were to be around at that time? What this man is saying is a taboo, if he’ll not pay tithe he shouldn’t discourage others from paying.
“I know this man because I’ve seen him before, if you look at the books he’s surrounded himself with, I don’t how much he’s worth, but he needs help. Maybe he does not pay his tithe because he has no money. If he says Pastors only enrich themselves and don’t do good to the needy that’s a big lie. If you’re looking for people who are generous, it’s pastors. I’m not blowing my own horn but if I should tell you the number of people whose education I fund you’ll never believe it. I’ve not forced anyone to pay his tithe to me, but people from all over the world bless me every time.”
Source: kasapafmonline.com
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Tithing is real in the bible, it an order from God, God said when u pay 1/ 10 of ur salary He God will open the windows in heaven n pour out blessing over you and He God will stop dangerous things happening to you. Tithing is not an opten, its an order from God, when u do ur part then God will also fulfill his part. Those who pay tithe benefit from this, when u pay n the pastor uses it, then u ve done ur part but the rest is between the pastor n God. Somewhere in the bible God called those who do not pay tithe robbers. Find out, God said we rob Him because we do not pay tithe.
Man of God, with all due respect the Man Sam Okudzeto, speaks on Tithes not cheerful giving, you divert from Tithe paying to Cheerful giving. Point of correction you fail to answer the question, the man dwells in tithes and never said we should not give cheerfully Again Jesus Ministry was based in Cheerful giving even more than tithes but not tithes as noted, The Man Sam Okudzeto is right, Man of God you are right though because Bible support cheerful giving but Jesus never takes Tithes from anyone or the disciples, cheerfully people gives them
Yes what he is saying is really true.We pay tithe on our income sfter deducting all all incidetaal expenses eg rent, car servicecing or amount set aside for trotro, chopmeney for the motnth and what would be left for savings is what we pay tithe on. However if none is left after deducting all thse then you do not need to pay thithe. Even God consider you a ***barred word*** if you do not deduct thse and say could nt pay for your rent for the motnth and the landlord ejects you. He only help those who help themselves first.
Massa mr.journalist your headline is mischevious and misleading.The pastor in question is Rev.Owusu Ansah from your own narration but the headline is bearing a different name that is Rev.Owusu Bempah so mr.jornalist which is which???
I am compelled to speak because of the pharasees wearing clerical as prophets, pastors and apostles enriching themselves from the poor Ghanaian and and enjoying life with their children while the ordinary poor person suffers. Where in the whole bible men of God enrich themselves, secondly tithes are for Levites only. prophets in the bible never received tithes. Jesus and his disciples never and I say again never received tithes. I call is extortion from the ***barred word***.
Dear Reverend Owusu Bempah. Really speaking you are one of the men of God I cherish most in Ghana but I think this time my uncle Sam Okujeto is somehow right.I my self has watched the video clip where he was interviewed by Adom Otchere.I think somehow the lawyer is right.