During the second service at the Civic Centre, Pastor Iluyomade shared that the land for their new project was generously donated by a church member. He used the moment to encourage Christians to embrace the act of giving, not only to others but also in support of God’s work. He acknowledged that many believers struggle with the concept of giving, which he described as a sacrificial act that brings blessings from God.
In his sermon, titled “Giving,” Pastor Iluyomade spoke about the significance of understanding biblical principles related to tithes and offerings. He warned the congregation to be cautious of misleading doctrines circulating today, stating:
“As believers, we must be vigilant because there are various teachings about giving. If you’re not careful, you might miss the truth in this area, and that is the gospel truth.”
He continued, “Your giving starts with your offering. Tithing—10 percent of your income—belongs to God. And God knows mathematics. Many people avoid reading Malachi 3, where God rebukes those who rob Him of tithes and offerings.”
Pastor Iluyomade urged the congregation to reflect on this matter deeply: “We need to repent. If God calls us robbers, we must ask ourselves: would any robber enter heaven? And how significant is this 10 percent God asks for? If I were God, perhaps I would ask for more, but He only asks for 10 percent to bless the rest. Let’s reflect on that.”
He also emphasized that paying tithes should not be seen lightly but balanced with helping the poor, especially in difficult times. “Ministry requires funds, which is why God commands us to bring tithes to meet the needs of His house. As for offerings, God says everyone should give according to the blessings they’ve received. Naturally, the rich should give more than those with less. We must give in proportion to our prosperity,” he explained.
Pastor Iluyomade also reminded worshippers about the importance of living righteous lives, warning against neglecting the foundational aspects of faith.
During the service, two church members demonstrated the spirit of generosity discussed in the sermon by contributing ₦4 million to Bethesda Home & School for the Blind.
