Recession: Congregation Shun Tithes, Offering At Lagos Churches

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Even the strong biblical quotations from the books of Malachi Chapter 3 verse 10 and Luke chapter 6 verse 38 are no longer a persuasion factor for congregation to live up to their obligations of paying tithes and offering at various churches in Lagos. The reason is not far-fetched, the economic hardship facing many Nigerians are biting harder and they could no longer fulfill that aspect of religious commitment.
P.M.EXPRESS investigations revealed that though, there seemed to be an encouraging  number of worshipers at the various churches visited, but that has not commensurable with the amount of money realised as tithes and offering.
Many of the worshippers are defaulting during the service and not that they do not want to give but that their purse are so lean at the moment.
At some of the branches of the churches like Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, The Lord Chosen, Foursquare, The Redeemed, The Apostolic and many others in Mushin, Oshodi, Iyana Ipaja, Isolo, Yaba, Apapa visited by our correspondent, showed that some still give while many only come to share from the grace and leave despite all persuasion by the presiding clergy.
The priests and pastors who spoke on the matter confirmed that there was a drastic reduction in offering and tithes.

They said their congregants are not isolated from the reality in the society.
A worshiper at Christ The King, CKC in Mushin, Mrs May Obi said there is no doubt Nigerians are passing through hard times, therefore, it will reflect on the amount they give as tithe and offering in the church.
She said she used to give a reasonable amount every Sunday but had to save cost because her income had reduced.
Mrs Obi said she was not the only person affected in the church as many sometimes do not come out during offering because they have no money to give.
Another worshiper, Johnson Kayode of The Apostolic Church in Oshodi said the building project the church embarked on last year has been temporarily suspended due to lack of fund.
He said people hardly make donation again and the tithe and offering reduced drastically with the present recession in the country.
He blamed everything on economic situation as many families found it difficult to feed, talk less of donating money and fulfilling their obligation  in the church.
In her response, Mrs Hope Benson, a member of The Redeemed agreed that there is hardship in the land but said it has no really telltale effect on most mega churches as many of the worshipers still make reasonable contributions to their church growth.
She said there might be reduction in the amount they realise during the service but it does not affect the programme of their churches.