Media personality Toke Makinwa has revealed that she no longer pays her monthly tithe to the church, saying she now channels the money directly to charitable causes instead.
Speaking in a video shared on her YouTube channel, Toke explained that she made the decision after reflecting on how financially comfortable many churches already appear to be.
“I kind of stopped paying tithe to the church because all the churches I know are rich,” she said. “And I decided that no, no, no, no, I ain’t doing this anymore. I would rather go to hospitals, widows’ homes.”
According to her, churches regularly receive large sums of money, including special offerings and building funds.
“Every Sunday, there’s a building fund envelope. You guys have so much money, and it’s not taxed,” she added. “It’s a business, if I’m going to be real, because if that pastor dies today, either his wife or his child becomes the next pastor.”
Toke clarified that she has not completely withdrawn from supporting religious activities. She said she still gives offerings during services and contributes to church programmes when necessary.
However, she no longer pays her regular tithe directly to religious institutions.
Instead, she prefers to help individuals and institutions where she can see the immediate impact.
“I would rather go to hospitals, take a maternity ward, and pay all the bills there,” she said. “I would rather when strangers come to meet me, I would tithe my tithe to them because they are telling me their actual needs.”
She also questioned the idea of prioritising church donations while people in one’s immediate environment are struggling financially.
“How can I say I love God? I have the money this person is looking for to pay rent, and I’m carrying it to a church?” she asked.
Reflecting on her past, Toke shared that she once gave an entire brand endorsement fee to the church as tithe.
“Ten years ago, I was the girl who got a brand endorsement deal, didn’t touch one naira and carried everything to church,” she said. “I said I will tithe this to God so that my life will never be tight.”
Her comments have sparked conversations online about faith, charity, and personal convictions regarding religious giving.