{
  "id": 16524665,
  "title": "It’s dangerous to buy Christmas clothes without paying tithes – cleric",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/its-dangerous-to-buy-christmas-clothes-without-paying-tithes-cleric",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T21:48:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/its-dangerous-to-buy-christmas-clothes-without-paying-tithes-cleric/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned pastor David Ibiyeomie has cautioned Christians against purchasing Christmas attire without fulfilling the religious obligation of paying tithes, asserting that such neglect could lead to issues they might mistakenly attribute to the devil. In a sermon aimed at prepping believers for the Christmas season, the cleric emphasized the importance of tithing before spending on festive clothing and personal needs. He sternly warned against treating tithing lightly or contributing an arbitrary amount, insisting on the necessity of paying the correct amount. Ibiyeomie used instances of allegedly burst vehicle tyres, which he connected to drivers who reportedly had not paid their tithes, to underscore his message. One such anecdote detailed how two tyres on his vehicle burst en route, prompting him to question the driver's tithing habits. He also recounted a situation where a driver of his Rolls-Royce experienced the same issue, leading him to conclude that the driver was not a consistent tither. The pastor attributed these incidents to the alleged failure of the drivers to pay tithes, suggesting that such financial negligence could precipitate physical harm. Ibiyeomie argued that while not all misfortunes should be blamed on the devil, Christians should scrutinize their religious commitments when experiencing problems. He also cautioned against the neglect of tithing during the festive period, warning that failing to pay could adversely affect one's family. According to the pastor, December is a critical time when Christians must avoid compromising their tithing responsibilities, lest their children suffer. He criticized Christians for paying tithes inconsistently or without adhering to the correct amount, insisting that tithing should not be a 'pay as you go' practice but rather a dedicated, correct payment. Concluding his sermon, Ibiyeomie urged believers to take tithing seriously, avoiding the temptation to blame the devil for issues he believes stem from unpaid tithes.",
  "summary": "Salvation Ministries founder, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has warned Christians against buying Christmas clothes without first paying their tithes. Read More: https://punchng.com/its-dangerous-to-buy-christmas-clothes-without-paying-tithes-cleric/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Don’t buy Christmas clothes if you haven’t paid tithe – Pastor David Ibiyeomie warns [VIDEO]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/dont-buy-christmas-clothes-if-you-havent-paid-tithe-pastor-david",
        "published": "2026-10-25T15:17:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}