Popular Nigerian pastor, Abel Damina, has stirred up fresh debate in religious circles after boldly declaring that no church offering or tithe goes to God, insisting that all money collected in churches is spent by men.
In a now-viral video clip from a Sunday sermon at his church, Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI), the preacher addressed what he called long-standing misconceptions about offerings and tithes in churches.
“No offering goes to heaven,” Damina said. “Men spend it. Every time we gather offerings in this church, all the offerings we give to God go to men.”
The statement has reignited public discussion around the use and management of church funds in Nigeria, where offerings and tithes are central to most Christian worship practices.
Damina, known for challenging traditional church teachings, has consistently argued that many doctrines preached today are designed to manipulate worshippers, especially when it comes to money.
In the sermon, he also criticized the way tithing is promoted by some church leaders. “Even those tithe mongers that say when you pay tithe, the doors of heaven will open — the doors have been opened since Jesus rose from the dead. The doors have never been closed. They are just working on people’s minds,” he said.
This is not the first time Pastor Damina has challenged widely held Christian beliefs. In January 2025, he caused an online uproar when he taught that smoking and drinking are not sins in Christianity. That statement, like his recent sermon, drew mixed reactions from both followers and critics.
In the same message, Damina addressed critics who labelled him “evil” for preaching against tithing. He argued that some pastors only defend tithes because it ensures a steady flow of money from members.
“I heard some of them saying I am evil because I said you should not pay tithe. They say, ‘he and his children will pay tithe.’ He has to talk like that to keep collecting from people. People won’t keep giving him if he doesn’t talk like that,” he added.
He didn’t stop there. Damina alleged that many pastors who pressure their members to pay tithes do not practice what they preach. “I won’t be surprised if he is not paying tithes to anybody. Most of them are greedy; they collect from everybody, but they don’t pay anybody,” he claimed.
Damina’s latest sermon has sparked reactions on social media, with some supporting his courage in speaking openly about church finances, while others see his message as misleading and dangerous.
In Nigeria, offerings and tithes are core parts of church culture, especially among Pentecostal churches. Members are often taught that giving to the church brings blessings from God and opens doors for success. However, critics argue that many church leaders misuse these teachings for personal gain.
Over the years, questions have been raised about how offerings are used, with increasing calls for transparency in church finances. Damina’s comments appear to add fuel to the growing demand for accountability among religious leaders.
Despite the backlash, Pastor Damina remains firm in his views. His ministry, based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has attracted followers from across the country who are drawn to his bold, unfiltered preaching style.
Whether seen as controversial or courageous, Damina’s latest sermon has once again placed him at the centre of a conversation Nigeria continues to wrestle with — the role of money in the church.
