Richest Pastor List: Bishop Oyedepo Explains Why He Won’t Pay Tax

Some days back, a list of richest pastors in the world surfaced online and Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel topped the list with an estimated net worth of $150 million.

Speaking with Reuters, Oyedepo who defended the income generated from tithes and offerings in his mega church said it is used to build schools and serve the needs of the poor.

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According to the man of God, the wealth the church gathers is invested in expanding it, and if he did not use a private jet, he would be unable to oversee its many foreign operations and still return to Ota every week in time for Sunday’s worship.

Asked about Forbes’ estimate of his fortune, Bishop Oyedepo said that he doesn’t know how Forbes arrived at their figure.

For me, to have fortune means someone who has what he needs at any point in time. I don’t see myself as having $150 million stacked up somewhere. Whatever way they found their figures, I am only able to say I am blessed by the Lord,” he said.

On whether churches should pay tax considering how much they make, the Bishop replied: “There is no single government input on this premises. We supply our water, we make our roads, then you … say: ‘Let’s tax them’. For what?”

Oyedepo claimed his Corporate Affairs department has employed more than 18,000 people in Nigeria alone.

The headquarters of Oyedepo’s church, Canaan land is a 10,500-acre (4250-hectare) campus located in Ota. It comprises a university, two halls of accommodation, restaurants and a church seating 50,000 people.

7 COMMENTS

  1. Ministers of God should stop deceiving the world. I see Oyedepo and his likes as hypocrites. How can a whole himpeached tell the world he does not know his worth?
    If he is using private jet for effective and efficient transportation must it be three? We know what one jet plane cost.
    If a church can afford all that assets, he should reflect in the life of all members. Unfortunately many are blind follower who cannot read the bible and know what God really want from them. They worship human being rather than God.
    If he is talking about lack of government present in his ministry, has there being government present in other private companies paying taxes or even individuals/common men on the street? What efforts has he made to let those in government especially those in his ministry understand what God want from leaders? Rather it is all about psyching members on more offering and more tithes.
    What has he got to say on Deut. 15:22-29. Real men of God before him were not lust into material world. James 2:27 (NLT) states, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
    God is in us and not mighty buildings many attach themselves to as church. Buildings are mere worshiping centers. Let him better the lives of Christians who are yet to find their feet on ground and many who cannot afford even a meal per day. That is through type of good deeds the scripture is telling us. This is not restricted to members alone. It is not how highly populated a worshipping center is but how Christianly they are – salvation, what outsiders see good in them. Evagelism is not through preaching and teaching the scriptures but even our attitudes and behaviors. We are letters that people read, 2 Cor. 3:2-3.
    I wish our ministers of God do it the way God want them to do it. They cannot serve two masters. Their lust for money has misdirected thinking only on prosperity but lost focus on salvation.
    I am not judging but expressing my opinion and observation.

  2. BE CAREFUL OF THE YEAST OF PHARISEES.
    Jesus has warned us to be careful of new teaching, Mt. 23:3-4, 23, 28.
    Ministers of God should stop deceiving the world. I see Oyedepo and his likes as hypocrites. How can a whole himpeached tell the world he does not know his worth?
    If he is using private jet for effective and efficient transportation must it be three? We know what one jet plane cost.
    If a church can afford all that assets, he should reflect in the life of all members. Unfortunately many are blind follower who cannot read the bible and know what God really want from them. They worship human being rather than God.
    If he is talking about lack of government present in his ministry, has there being government present in other private companies paying taxes or even individuals/common men on the street? What efforts has he made to let those in government especially those in his ministry understand what God want from leaders? Rather it is all about psyching members on more offering and more tithes.
    What has he got to say on Deut. 15:22-29. Real men of God before him were not lust into material world. James 2:27 (NLT) states, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
    God is in us and not mighty buildings many attach themselves to as church. Buildings are mere worshiping centers. Let him better the lives of Christians who are yet to find their feet on ground and many who cannot afford even a meal per day. That is through type of good deeds the scripture is telling us. This is not restricted to members alone. It is not how highly populated a worshipping center is but how Christianly they are – salvation, what outsiders see good in them. Evagelism is not through preaching and teaching the scriptures but even our attitudes and behaviors. We are letters that people read, 2 Cor. 3:2-3.
    I wish our ministers of God do it the way God want them to do it. They cannot serve two masters. Their lust for money has misdirected thinking only on prosperity but lost focus on salvation.
    I am not judging but expressing my opinion and observation.

  3. @John what makes him cursed? He might have made some typographic errors as regards the bible verses does that make him cursed? Do not be quick to cast judgement. First take out the mole in ur eye so u can see clearly the plank u intend to take out of ur neighbours eyes. Pls be sure of ur salvation. That is most important. God bless you

  4. @ john na u dey crazy u nor get sense at all I think u have to go back to primary school yo dum ass….
    Peter you have said it all wish all the men of God in Nigeria can start helping the widow, poor and lot more this coutry will be less corrupt.they can learn from TB Joshua that man is really a true man of God because he teaches and practice what he teaches by helping the poor(I know of a woman here in warri that he changed her life now she is living big now with her family #note she is not a memeber of SCOAN) I wish this he have a univeristy I know he won’t be collecting half a million naira and I know the school will just be for the poor and equiped with the best learning features ..God bless you Sir (TB Joshua ).
    Now take a look take a look at pastor Ayo with his involvemnt in $9.3M , Pastor Chris Oyakilome,Okote they are all pastors of Setan and I pray God judge them soon. Country is suffering from poverty, no job nothing and pastors keep on buying private jets, luxrious cars and lot more….eveil men of God..all they preach about is prosperity, breakthrough they will never preach salvation, repentance as they don’t care how u make ur money just come and spend it..lol
    God help us all..

  5. All of una keep quiet na other peoples own una go dey see ehen. u shld beta be careful the way u judge men of God,when u are not God. abeg we shld stop deceiving ourselves if u are there wat will u do?una no go do things way worse?una own na to serve God and obey him and we shld stop dividing the body of christ into different parts. We shld all come together and be united to fight against the devil instead of giving him space.