Reverend Prince Ohene Bekoe, Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Harvestfields Ministries, has weighed in on the ongoing public debate surrounding tithing, following a viral video in which a church member accused her pastor and elders of misusing church funds.
Speaking in an interview with Godwin Namboh on TV3’s The Afternoon Show on April 22, Rev. Bekoe offered a detailed explanation of the concept of tithe, its biblical roots, and its role in the modern church.
According to him, “a tithe is one-tenth of the profit you earn—whether from business or salary—that you contribute to the welfare of the community of believers.” He explained that while tithing was used in the Old Testament to support the welfare of the Jewish community, it has now “transcended into the New Testament church today.”
Referencing scripture, he noted that tithing is not a new concept. “It began when Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek,” he said, adding that Abraham’s act came out of the blessings and gains he received. “The war was a symbol of progress and income, and it was out of that he paid his tithe.”
He further cited Malachi 3:10, which encourages believers to “bring the tithe into the house so there will be enough food,” and Matthew 23:23, where Jesus speaks on the practice, emphasising that tithing remains part of Christian tradition.
Beyond doctrine, Rev. Bekoe described the tithe as deeply personal and spiritual. “Tithe is a symbol of your honour, your dedication, your faith, and your love towards God,” he said. He added that because the tithe is connected to income, “how often we earn determines how often we tithe.”
Addressing concerns raised in the viral video, he acknowledged that many Christians today are questioning how tithes are used. “Primarily, the issue is not with the tithe itself, but how it benefits the individual,” he explained. He noted that people are becoming more informed and are seeking accountability. “People are becoming enlightened, sensitive, and reasoning through a lot of things. They want to see results and change.”
He stressed that questioning church systems should not be seen as rebellion. “If we are questioning systems and structures, it’s not because we don’t believe in them, but because we want to see answers come out of them,” he said, adding that the church must take such concerns seriously.
Rev. Bekoe admitted that this is an important conversation that church leadership must address. “It’s a good question that we have to sit down as administration and as a church to answer—how does the tithe benefit the individual?”
He also highlighted the broader impact of the church in society, noting that, beyond spiritual guidance, churches make significant contributions to national development.
“The church is doing well in raising leaders—politically, spiritually, financially, and ethically,” he said. He pointed to contributions in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, citing institutions like Mfantsipim School as examples.
According to him, “the church remains one of the foremost development partners to the socio-economic growth of the nation.”
His comments come at a time when conversations around transparency, accountability, and the role of the church in society continue to gain momentum.
