Pastor Abel Damina Challenges 'Givers Never Lack' as Unbiblical, Ignites Fierce Debate
Pastor Abel Damina has ignited a significant controversy within Christian circles by publicly rejecting the widely held belief that 'givers never lack' is a biblical principle. In a recent sermon delivered to his congregation, Damina asserted that no scripture in the Bible guarantees financial prosperity or immunity from lack for those who give, directly challenging traditional teachings on tithing and prosperity gospel.
Damina's Bold Stance on Giving and Wealth
Speaking passionately, Damina described the popular saying as misleading and dishonest. He emphasized that giving does not automatically lead to wealth accumulation and, in fact, can create a financial vacuum. 'There is no scripture in the Bible that says when you give, you will never lack. Anybody who claims that givers never lack is a fraud. Nobody prospers by giving. When you give, you lack because it leaves you and creates a vacuum, then you have to work again to recover it, and sometimes you never recover it,' he stated unequivocally.
Damina explained that his teaching aims to correct what he termed a 'mindset issue' among Christians. He argued that many believers have been conditioned to think financial success comes solely through giving to God, a notion he disputes based on personal observation. 'I kept questioning it because I saw people who were diligently giving yet remained broke. I never saw anyone who became a billionaire simply because they tithed,' he added, highlighting the disconnect between giving and guaranteed prosperity.
Clarifying the Source of Blessings and Wealth
The pastor further clarified that wealth accumulation is tied to work and business endeavors, not to tithing or offerings. He pointed out that those who become wealthy while tithing do so because of their professional or entrepreneurial efforts. 'Even those who became billionaires while tithing did so because they had jobs and businesses. That is why they became billionaires, not because they tithed,' Damina elaborated.
He concluded by asserting that divine blessings are not contingent on giving but are inherent in the earth's structure. 'God did not bless you because you gave tithe or anything. He blessed because He has already blessed. The reason you have jobs, turn trees into paper, extract crude oil is because God has already blessed the planet,' Damina said, redirecting focus from transactional giving to recognizing pre-existing provision.
Intense Online Reactions and Broader Context
Damina's remarks have sparked a heated debate among Christians, with reactions flooding social media platforms. Supporters praised his bold stance for encouraging critical thinking, while critics argued that generosity remains a biblical principle tied to spiritual, if not always financial, blessings. Comments ranged from humorous skepticism to serious theological discussions, reflecting the divisive nature of the topic.
This controversy follows Damina's earlier statements questioning the destination of church offerings and tithes, where he claimed they are spent by men rather than received by God, further challenging established church practices. His consistent critiques have positioned him as a provocative voice in Nigerian Christian discourse, prompting widespread reflection on faith, finance, and scriptural interpretation.
