The Methodist bishop's message that prompted 'thieves' tag by a church member

Church member calls pastor, elders ‘thieves’ over tithe payment concern

The bishop of Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church in Sunyani and its elders were labelled as “thieves” in church by a female member.

One may ask what triggered the woman to label the bishop and the leadership of the Methodist Church as thieves.

The development followed an open forum where the bishop told the congregation that, according to the Bible, those who do not pay tithe are considered armed robbers.

According to the bishop, there are three different types of theft, which he explained as stealing, burglary and robbery. He further stated that individuals who do not pay tithe in the house of the Lord fall under robbery.

“If you are a member of this church and you don’t pay tithe, you’re a robber. There are three different types of theft: stealing, burglary and armed robbery. The highest level is armed robbery, where someone puts a gun on you, forces you to bring out your money, and takes everything you have. That person is called a robber,” the bishop stated.

The Bishop of the Methodist Church argued that God labels individuals who do not pay tithe as armed robbers because they know the tithe money is supposed to be given in church but intentionally fail to do so.

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“God says those who do not pay tithe are not stealing or committing burglary; they are robbers. Do you know why God calls them robbers? It is because you know it belongs to God, yet you intentionally take it. That is why God says if you are in a church and you don’t pay your tithe, you are an armed robber,” he explained.

Following the bishop’s message during the open forum, a female member of Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church openly reacted in church, describing the bishop, pastor, and elders as “thieves” over the tithe message.