For many years, I dismissed Bishop David Oyedepo’s strong teachings on tithing. Like countless other Christians in Nigeria, I found the emphasis on giving ten percent of one’s income too repetitive, too forceful, and sometimes too convenient for the church. “It’s Old Testament law,” I argued. “We are under grace now.” I believed tithing was more of a money-making strategy than a biblical command.
Then I came across a verse that stopped me in my tracks and forced me to rethink everything.
The Verse That Changed My Mind
Malachi 3:10 (NIV) says:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
What struck me was not just the command, but God’s bold challenge: “Test me in this.”. This is the only place in the Bible where God explicitly invites His people to test Him. That alone made me pause.
Bishop Oyedepo has consistently taught that tithing is not optional for believers who want to operate under God’s full blessing. Many of us, including me, saw it as pressure. But reading Malachi 3 in context showed me something deeper: tithing is presented as a matter of obedience, honour, and trust in God as Provider.
Why This Matters in Nigeria Today
In a country battling economic hardship, inflation, and daily survival struggles, tithing can feel like an extra burden rather than an act of faith. Yet the principle remains powerful:
– It is an act of worship and obedience, not payment for blessings.
– It supports God’s house — the local church and kingdom work.
– It comes with a promised test — God says try it and watch what happens.
This does not mean tithing is a magic formula for instant wealth. Bishop Oyedepo himself teaches that tithing must be combined with wisdom, hard work, and righteous living. But it is a consistent biblical pattern from Abraham (before the Law) through the New Testament principle of generous, cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
My Personal Shift
Once I started taking tithing seriously — not out of fear or manipulation, but as obedience to God — I experienced peace and unexpected provisions in ways I couldn’t explain away. More importantly, it changed my heart from resentment toward giving to joy in partnership with God.
I no longer see Bishop Oyedepo’s tithing messages as extreme. They are rooted in Scripture and delivered with the confidence of someone who has tested God’s Word over decades of ministry.
A Word of Caution and Balance
Tithing should never be used to manipulate or shame believers. Giving must come from the heart. The New Testament encourages generous, Spirit-led giving beyond the tithe. But dismissing the principle entirely because of abuses in some churches is throwing out biblical truth with human error.
If you have struggled with tithing or felt pressured by teachings on it, I challenge you to do what God Himself said — test Him. Read Malachi 3:10 with an open heart. Study the full counsel of Scripture on giving.
You may be surprised at what happens when you take God at His Word.
Have you struggled with the teaching on tithing? Which Bible verses have shaped your view on giving? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments.
