Educating members on the Theology of tithe and offering in Osun Conference, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the modalities for educating Church members within Osun State Conference on the theology of tithes and offerings in order to boost the financial support accruing to the local Churches, Districts and Conference by 20% within a period of six months. This will aid in boosting the expansion of the church in unreached territories of Osun Conference. In this study, theological basis for tithes and offerings will be discussed. The factors responsible for member’s probably low response to issue of tithe and offerings will be uncovered. This work will examine better ways of teaching financial stewardship as a sacred act of worshiping God and discover how members could better understand and practice the combined offering plan otherwise called systematic benevolence that will become a way of life. The population of this research was a representative of all the Seventh-day Adventists who worship in churches in eleven districts of Osun State.An average of two hundred questionnaires were administered in order to sample the level of understanding of SDA members on theology and practice of tithes and offering. The questionnaires were employed in collection of data, they were analysed by percentage procedures. This enabled the researcher to develop a model through program design from the respondent understanding of Church supporting strategy and other factors affecting tithe and offerings. This study reveals that teachings on theology of offerings has not been very much understood, imbibed and implemented by Seventh-day Adventist Members in most of the Churches in Osun Conference except those in the four Districts where increment in offering was noticed. Hence, there is urgent need for continuous monthly, quarterly, annual or bi-annual orientation on theology of returning offerings that will encourage the spirit of liberality and cheerfulness in all the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Osun Conference. Members should always be reminded that he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully, while he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.