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 Bempah 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 Nazarenes(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: Kasapa FM
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The Church business is a very lucrative business. It is simple. First look for sinners. Or look for people you can convince to believe they are sinners. Once the people believe they are sinners, then you begin to help them to get rid of their sins. They have to meet regularly to learn about their newly found sins. They then have to pay for their sins. They pay on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays or any day you meet. Payment for sins was practiced in the Temple in Jerusalem during Jesus' time on earth. Basically, the principle is that when one commits a sin one has to die. But there is a way to die for ones sins other than personal death. This is where the sacrifice of livestock to shed blood for sins was prominent. Remember that as a result of demand and supply, the more the people sinned, the more money the Temple made. The priests at the time did not preach about repentance and/or staying away from sins. Remember when Jesus angrily turned the tables of the money changers in the Temple upside down? The people were being charged exhorbitant amounts for their sins. The practice of some Traditional Religious People demanding livestock in payment for healing has its biblical roots. When Jesus turned the tables upside down in the Temple, the reason He gave for doing so was that God's House was to be a house of Prayer for all nations, but they had made it into a den of thiieves. The holy system of shedding blood or sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins has been corrupted. What the pastors do not tell you is that Jesus has paid for your sins with His own Blood. The Blood that Jesus shed for the sins of the world on Calvary's Mountain will never lose its power. You do not need to pay for any sins. A Freewill Offering for giving Thanks to the Lord for paying for your sins is appropriate. The fake pastors are speading fake gospels. They are false prophets.
Soon Christians in Africa will be enlightened and will realized there are myths, stories and practices which in fact aren't scriptural. Let us all endeavour to study the bible. Decide if you want to continue to pay tithe or not. Ask questions, study and God will help you!
Who the hell is this fake pastor owusu bempah to insult decent and honest Mr. Sam Okudzeto.
Tithe has no place in the new testament. Pastors become richer using tithe and they sell the benefit of tithe as a bait. Why has all the school dropouts and jobless graduates all of a sudden been called by God. They have seen that church business is lucrative. See all the school dropouts pastors like kumchacha,obinim and prophet1. Will they be rich today if not for tithe?
Criminals and demonic ministers turning the bible outside down for their selfish gain. Where did peter asked christians to sell their properties. This is what they do. They turn the bible outside down to deceive naive and ignoranttttt christians.
TITHE OR NOT TO TITHE (2 Corinthians 9:7) Tithing is an Old Testament law given to Isreal to support the priest and the temple. The New Testament does not support the law of tithing. How we use our money as believers comes under a new covenent with Jesus's sacrifice. Upon his ascension he sent the Holy Spirt to us as a teacher and a helper. He alone should be our guide as to where our giving goes, his requirement is to be cheerful givers. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts clearly shows that the Holy Spirit tells us where to put our money, they lied and it cost them their lives. Paul set the example by being a tent maker so as not to be a burden on the local Chruch.The Chruch met in homes and other various places, not in a specific building that is called the "Church" as we see it today. We are the temple of God, it should now be what is taken care of. In Matthew Jesus was rebuking the priest telling them they tithed but showed not real heart, that which the Holy Spirit only gives to today's believer as we see relating to the Anaias and Sapphira story. We as Christians should be cheerful givers. We are to work and save so as not to be a burden, Paul gave an example of this by being a tent maker. If you believe in the work your church is doing then help in that by being a cheerful giver not begetting as with Ananias and Sapphira. Give to the poor and widowns or where the Holy Spirit leads you to give. The New Testament also shows you are to give according to your means, not a set figure, but based on your ability. Giving teaches the same priciples that many claim tithing does. Giving is based on a closed relationship with God not on a tithe to a building for upkeep. Many people do not go to church because they feel shame when they cannot met the "tithe" called for in todays methodolodgy of doing "church". Today's church would do well to go by this verse. "Philippians 4:19 New International Version (NIV) 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." From Pastor Roy.
Someone should tell owusu bempeh to read the bible well. Peter never ask them to sell their properties please. cts 4:32-37King James Version (KJV) 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. They having land decided to sell them, let read. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Tithe has nothing to do with believers today. They should stop stealing from God's people. Tithe is an old testament law