T.B. Joshua, perhaps Nigeria’s most unconventional cleric, posted a heart-warming story on his official Facebook Page about an elderly lady who came to his church with an unusual gift. A retired teacher named Caroline Orugude had come to The
Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria to share a
curious testimony.
After retiring from her job in June, 2012, Caroline was forced to wait almost two years
for the gratuity that she was supposed to receive. “There was nothing much we could do
except pray because the pension system is so unreliable,” she narrated to the congregation.
After visiting various churches for prayer without any visible change, she was
introduced to Emmanuel TV, the popular Christian television station broadcasting the
activities at The SCOAN, and began praying along with T.B. Joshua.
Within two weeks, she received a call from the treasury, asking her to go to Abuja to collect
her pension money. “I decided that when I got the money, I would come to The SCOAN to
appreciate the Lord,” she joyfully said. “I am here with the small sum of 500,000 naira, to
give to the man of God and The SCOAN, as my
tithe.”
It was an unexpected declaration but the response of Joshua was equally surprising as
he insisted he could not collect the gift. “Yes, it is written in the Bible that we should
pay tithe but how can we collect tithe from widows and the aged who are supposed to be
under our care,” he questioned the congregation.
“Remember, she has stopped working. She needs our care for the rest of her life. These
are the women we should be feeding and taking care of. She is our mother; she is my
mother too.” The cleric, who is well known for his philanthropic gestures, then announced that
instead of taking Mrs. Orugude’s tithe, he would support her with an additional 500,000
naira.
“When God calls a man or woman, what they will eat, what they will use and everything they
need for their journey will be provided abundantly by God,” T.B. Joshua then
explained, noting the attributes of genuine ministers of God.
“When a minister begins to depend on tithes, you know he is not a minister of God,” he
added. “This is a message to ministers of God all over the world. When we collect tithes, we
should know those whom we collect them from. Don’t force anybody – it is between
them and God. Let us worship the Giver of
money, not money,” he concluded.
The post on Joshua’s Facebook page, followed by 1.5 million people, ended with a
poignant question. “Where are your elderly? Care for them and you shall reach old age.”
A video recently surfaced of Joshua refusing a $1,000 offering from a Swiss lady who
received healing during his crusade in Colombia. Several weeks ago, he spoke
scathingly of ‘money-hungry’ pastors, insisting that ministers of God should not
force members to give offerings or tithes as it was a thing of the heart..
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FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Uchenna Viscount and 5 others like this.
Gilbert Igweka Nwanorim
If
you desire to know the true story of what is happening in a zoo country
called NIGERIA, tune 102.1 FM on your radio. NOTE: this is basically
for South/East.
Endy Edeson
WHAT IS THE station called? i hope it's not what's on my mind. @gilbert
Jonathan Ifife Donaldson
Radio biafra
Onuh Jude
Good
guesture indeed bt den these women,frm Orugude nd d Colombian,were not
forced 2 pay tithe. They dis it out of their heart,how come TB keep
talking abt forcing or nt wen those actually
Gilbert Igweka Nwanorim
@Endy, it's called RADIO BIAFRA!!!
Gilbert Igweka Nwanorim
@Endy, it's called RADIO BIAFRA!!!
Collins Asinobi
He would have
Enyinda Nathaniel Okey
Now, I am touched
Salako Stephen
good one
Gilbert Igweka Nwanorim
If
you desire to know the true story of what is happening in a zoo country
called NIGERIA, tune 102.1 FM on your radio. NOTE: this is basically
for South/East.