Entrepreneurs cautioned against paying tithes, offerings to churches from loans

From Osakhare Erese Asaba

The Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA), Mrs. Shimite Bello, has cautioned business men and women in the country against using loan facilities to pay for tithes and offerings in churches.
She also specifically warned against using loan money to fend for the family immediate needs, disclosing that a loan for business purpose was not meant to solve domestic problems but improve already existing businesses.
She stated this in Abraka during a sensitization lecture organized by N-Power Agro Farmers Association, Delta State chapter with the theme, “Business and Loan Management”, noting that these was one of the reasons many business persons find it difficult to grow their businesses because they end up using the loan to service other needs rather than their businesses.
The executive secretary who was literally irate by the way most business persons use loan money to pay tithes and seed offerings in churches, condemned the acts in strong terms, insisting that a loan was not meant to solve existential problems, tithe or offerings, but to grow already existing business.
The DEMSMA boss said: “your loan is not for paying tithes and offerings rather it is your profit from your existing business, you are supposed to use to pay tithes and offerings.
“Any pastor that collects tithes from your loan, knowing full well that the tithes emanates from the loan, unless he is a financial illiterate, God will punish him. “You must understand that loan is not your money, it is somebody’s money, be it a bank, money lender and a private individual, hence it is not yours to give because it is not given out of magnanimity”.
She recalled with disdain how some persons the agency has granted loans in recent times, instead of using the money to develop and grow their businesses, began leading lives of affluence and ended up denying their identities so as to repay the loans.
On the loan facilities the association applied for at DEMSMA, Shimite stated: “Everything regarding your application has been processed and hopefully, before the end of the year. Once the cheques are ready, we will let your leader, Mrs. Ese Adiomamore knows about it”.
Eid-el-Kabir: Okowa congratulates Muslims, urges prayers for leaders Osakhare Erese, Asaba
Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Nigerians to put aside their religious and political differences and push for a united country as Muslims mark the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
He urged the Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the prophet.
Okowa, in a Sallah message by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu said Eid-el-Kabir was a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.
“I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides and imbibing the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammed.
“This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation; and for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country,” Governor Okowa said.
He assured the people of Delta State that the state government would work with security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.