City pastor Isaac Rwomushana has defended his controversial teachings on tithing, insisting that churches should stop pressuring congregants who are financially struggling.
The God Is Good Outreach Ministries International preacher, whose sermons challenging mainstream church practices have recently gone viral on social media, has drawn both criticism and praise for openly questioning how some pastors demand tithes from members.
Appearing on Sanyuka Television on Friday, Pastor Rwomushana clarified that his message is not against giving, but against what he described as the “ungodly” manner in which some churches compel contributions.
“When we are talking about giving tithe, let’s talk to those who have,” Rwomushana said. “You cannot give what you don’t have. When you force someone who has nothing to give, you turn them into a miracle worker.”
He argued that churches risk sidelining vulnerable believers by creating an environment where financial contribution is seen as a measure of faith or commitment.
“Why treat those who don’t have as if they are less important?” he asked. “That is where my argument comes from. The moment you make them feel small because they have not given, you are chasing them out of church.”
Rwomushana further revealed that even as a pastor, he has sometimes attended church without paying tithe due to personal financial constraints.
“There are weeks that have not been good for me. I have gone to church without tithe,” he said. “If everyone who didn’t have tithe stayed away, the church would be empty.”
His remarks have sparked online debate, with some applauding him for representing low-income worshippers, while others maintain that tithing remains a biblical obligation.
The discussion around tithe, particularly in urban churches, continues to divide opinion, with critics calling for greater sensitivity toward congregants facing economic hardship.
Rwomushana insists that giving should come from willingness and ability, not pressure or guilt.
