Pastors are using tithe to 'blackmail' - Sam Okudzeto

- Prominent Ghananian lawyer says men of God are using tithes to blackmail members of their church
- The lawyer advised Christians to put more effort in giving to the needy than tithes
- Sam Okudzetu noted that pastors are focused on misquoting the Bible

Council of State member Sam Okudzetu has criticised some pastors for using the bible to dupe members of their money, all in the name of tithing.

According to him, tithing in church has now become exploitation, with pastors using certain quotations in the bible to cover up their dubious dealings.

He went on to state that most men of God misquote certain verses in the bible, including Malachi 3:10, to “blackmail” their members to give out their money as tithe.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana show, Mr Okudzetu said: “I have argued with pastors that they are using the tithe as a ruse to blackmail people to give money and I said it is wrong. I give, I don’t go and give tithe. And I give not only to church, I give to church, I give to people who have need, I help those who I think are in a situation where they need help."

“I don’t pay tithe because that’s Old Testament concept and I’ve told the pastors that they are wrong because they are using Malachi to entice people to collect money from them and that money that goes to them does not help the poor and the needy. ”

He added that God blesses based on one’s devotion towards worshiping him, and not based on one’s tithing, calling on Christians to rather focus on giving to the needy.