'What paying tithes to pastors has done for me' - Ex-Man United star, Odion Ighalo

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has spoken about his commitment to paying tithes, revealing that he has remained faithful to the practice since the beginning of his professional football career in 2005.

Ighalo made the revelation while discussing the controversies surrounding the payment of tithes to pastors and the responsibilities of Christians in supporting their churches.

In a video circulating on social media platform, X, the former Manchester United striker said he began paying tithes when he earned his first salary of N15,000 as a young footballer.

According to him, his pastor introduced him to the biblical practice, and he has continued paying 10 per cent of his earnings to God despite the significant increase in his income over the years.

Ighalo recalled that although paying tithes was relatively easy when he earned little money, he initially struggled with the idea when his football career began generating much higher earnings.

He said he took time to reflect on the commitment but eventually decided that an increase in his income would not change his approach to giving.

“When I started earning big money and calculated 10 per cent of my tithe, I was like, ‘What?’ I thought about it for a day, but I told myself that the same principle should remain. If you can be faithful with little, you can also be faithful with whatever amount comes your way,” he said.

The former Super Eagles forward maintained that he does not allow the amount of money he earns to determine whether he fulfils his religious commitment.

“I don’t care how much I earn today. My 10 per cent is for God. I pay my tithes, I sow seeds and I do other things in support of God’s work,” he added.

Addressing concerns that tithes paid in churches eventually go to pastors, Ighalo said he believes individuals should fulfil their religious obligations while leaving pastors accountable to God for how they manage the money.

“Some people say you are giving the money to pastors. That is not my problem. According to the Word of God, whatever the pastor does with it is between him and God. He will have to explain to God,” he said.

Ighalo also linked his commitment to tithing and seed sowing to his confidence in overcoming difficult situations in life.

He expressed strong faith in God’s ability to deliver him from challenges, insisting that no difficulty could arise that God would be unable to help him overcome.

The footballer explained that whenever he encounters difficult moments, he reminds God of his prayers, sacrifices and commitment to his faith.

“Whenever challenges come, I cry to God and say, ‘Remember my tithes, remember the seeds and remember everything I have done to the glory of your name,'” he said.

Ighalo, however, acknowledged that he was not a perfect human being but maintained that his faith in God remained unwavering.

He reiterated that he had never missed paying his tithe since 2005, describing the practice as an important part of his relationship with God.