The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said clergymen and Christians will be criticized if they die poor.
His remarks come in response to the backlash following the lavish gift of a Rolls Royce to Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church, during his 70th birthday celebration.
At the event, which took place at the Living Faith headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, Bishop Oyedepo was presented with a Rolls Royce and N1 billion.
The extravagant gifts sparked criticism from some Nigerians who questioned the necessity of such wealth for a religious leader.
Addressing his congregation in a video message, Pastor Adeboye defended the gifts and emphasized the importance of wealth, stating that it is preferable to die rich than to die poor.
“Someone gave a bishop a car and some people got very upset, asking how a bishop could be driving a Rolls Royce,” Adeboye said. “As if once you are a bishop, you must die of hunger.”
The renowned pastor urged his followers to understand that, regardless of their financial status, people would always find reasons to criticize them.
“Let me tell you, my beloved children, if you die poor, they will blame you,” Adeboye remarked.
“They will say after all these years of serving God, this is how you end? If you can’t pay your rent, they will ask, ‘Where is your God?’”
He further explained that the criticism would persist whether someone lived in poverty or abundance.
“If you start riding a Rolls Royce, they will attack you. So, which of the two do you choose? They are going to attack you anyway, whether you die of poverty or live in abundance,” he concluded.