Church refunds tithe to support members during pandemic

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah has announced a tithing refund program for all members.

The tithing refund program is a means of refunding members tithes to help them survive during this pandemic, especially those who have been laid off or enmeshed in one financial struggle or the other.

In a letter addressed by the church to the congregation, it said the church officials unanimously agreed to pay its members their tithes after discussions, pleadings and earnest prayers to God.

"The Lord has blessed his church greatly during prior years of prosperity. We have felt impressed to consider what more the Lord would have us to do to care for those in need. After much discussion, earnest pleading and heartfelt prayer to know the will of the Lord, we feel strongly that the Lord's storehouse should be opened for a season for the blessing of His saints," the church letter read in part.

The church agreed to refund three years of tithing payments directly to members who contributed in the past.

"Eligible recipients include all active and less-active members as well as all former members who paid tithing after May 1, 2017," the letter revealed.

Nigerian churches have 24hrs to respond. #TitheRefundChallenge pic.twitter.com/63NZwpz4Sr
— King Arthur (@KingArthur9ja) May 7, 2020

Nigerians found this amusing.

I'm not sure if you attend this "church" or you pay tithe at all.

Well, here is the good news...go to your church and make a claim for refund. Let them also know that you will expose them on Twitter if they don't. If it succeeds, you become your own hero.

Doesn't it feel right?
— Nigeria ???? #WhereIsTheLOVE ???? (@brunoegwumba) May 7, 2020

Obviously this is an error. Clearly they don't understand what tithe or tithing means and its implications. If you wanna feed people, do so willingly not come and put it as tithing refund. This is so wrong.
— Adeleke Noah (@fiery_writer) May 7, 2020