Debate rages over Pastor Adeboye’s call for varsity graduating students to give First Fruit

After the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, charged graduating students of Redeemer’s University to give their first fruit to God in return for multiple blessings, netizens have weighed in.

Pastor Adeboye, who is also a Visitor to the University, while speaking at the 15th convocation ceremony at the campus in Ede, Osun state, said God reward those who give to him in the form of tithe and offering.

Represented by the School’s Board of Trustee Chairman, Pastor Olukayode Pitan, he also charged the graduating students not to get distracted by the world attraction.

His words; “To the graduating students, I congratulate you very warmly. As you exit from the university, don’t allow the world and its lust to distract you to take the fear of God in you out; practice godliness. Be a lover of God and his word, and remember that all things answer to prayer if rightly done.

“God is the rewarder, give to him your first fruit, tithe and offering; nothing can stop your prosperity.”

On X, formerly Twitter, netizens offered their perspectives.

@Shakiru10285221 said: “Believe him at ur own risk o.”

@reality415 said: “Give your first fruits to your father and mother…If you don’t have parents plant a seed on people that really need your seed.”

@tolutronics said: “As if all those that are prosperous gave first fruit… Work hard legally. Have a spirit that willingly give. Believe God to bless your hard work. Don’t do pass yourself. You will prosper.”

@IamBlaccode renders his comment into a rhyme:

“My first fruit o…

This man is after my first fruit o

He wants my first fruit o

He wants a lot of first fruits o.

Please save me and my first fruit o.

Don’t let him get my first fruit o.

I want to enjoy my first fruit o.

I’m not giving him my first fruit make him do his worse.”