Atuche: Giving To Caesar?

In many parts of the Bible, Jesus averred that we must make a habit of freely appropriating that which belongs to God and the authorities to them. One of such instances is in the book of Mark, where he responds to a rhetorical question about the legality of paying taxes by His now famous quote that 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's'.

By this statement, I assume Jesus meant, pay your taxes and give the respect and cooperation the authorities deserve from their citizens and also pay your tithes and give God adoration for as many and more blessings He bestows on you.

I always assumed this instruction was self-explanatory thus the reason I was taken aback when I read the news of how the EFCC was planning to arrest Catholic priests in Delta State because a devout and practising Christian obeyed words in the sacred book we read. Mr Francis Atuche (former MD/CEO of the now defunct Bank PHB) paid his tithe of N45million and the EFCC believes the Church helped him in laundering money. How dare them! This is the Church of God!!! Surely, they have invoked the wrath of God and the Christian faith!

Someone in the EFCC needs directions on matters of the Church. Someone in the EFCC needs to read his Bible. Mr Atuche only gave to the Church what belonged to the Church. He made a profit of N450,000,000 and being a pious Nigerian Church-goer, he issued cheques for exactly 10% of this income, just as the Bible instructed.

Churches in Nigeria have millions of people in their congregation. They converge every Sunday morning (and sometimes evening) from all walks of life to fellowship with their brethren. Knowing we are probably the most religious people on the face of the planet, Church 'business' in Nigeria is big 'business'. Francis Atuche is a man, who by default, was flawed at birth. The Church is made up of men and so by extrapolation, can be said to be imperfect itself.

The EFCC is of the opinion that Churches must ask their members for the source of their tithes and by proxy, the source of their income. How pragmatic this is remains to be seen. They need to clarify for us, if it is the Church's duty to investigate the income of its members and in the event they discover the wealth is dodgy, turn down such tithes. This is a big responsibility in my opinion.

Who does the tithe belong to? I believe it belongs to God. Should members ask what the tithe is used for? Some folks argue in the affirmative while others choose to differ. Should the Church ask where the tithe is from, knowing the money is for the Supreme Being?. The concept of tithe paying is really a pact or covenant between the payee and the payer. The men of God are really just the brokers of this covenant. They are middle-men. Should they ask questions? Should they frisk the payers? 

We must remember that Nigeria is an exceptionally corrupt nation. Public officers loot with impunity at the slightest opportunity. They are also very charitable. Some are not just charitable but also devout. While they pay tithes religiously, they are also magnanimous givers. They are the first to donate to motherless babies and less privileged. Are they less sinners when they 'share' their loot with the needy? Are they exculpated by their compassionate magnanimity and benevolence? Francis Atuche is one of millions of erring Christians who have painted the religion in bad light. From Asokoro to Banana Island to the Cayman Islands, Nigerian Christians have bilked others and religiously remitted their ten-percents to the House of God. To them, it may be some form of exorcism or an expression of penitence. Bear in mind that most of them are reprobate and their contriteness only lasts for a few hours on Sundays when they are 'in the presence of God'.

Churches have thieving civil servants, murderers, armed robbers, yahoo boys, Otokoto regulars, corrupt Bank executives, skilled pilfering politicians, militants and even 'corporate courtesans' paying their tithes weekly or monthly, however the case may be. Is the Church morally obliged to turn these people down when they come with their 'burnt offerings'. Where do we draw the line between obeying a simple instruction and being morally correct. Income is income. So, whose call is it to declare some offerings vile?

I expect that like Cain, Abel's brother, such shady offerings will not be accepted by God. In the event of this, should the Church not return such offerings to the errant fellow? Should the Church keep such 'unhealthy' tithes in its coffers? Does this not taint the moral fabric of the Church?

Unfortunately, while some Nigerian Churches collect tithes from deviants in total oblivion of their unscrupulous ways and means, some others do so without flinching. Recently, a former Governor who was docked by the EFCC for misappropriating more than N58billion of his State's resources visited my Church. I was not in the auditorium that day but I hear the congregation gave him a rousing round of applause when his presence at the service was announced. He may or may not donate generously to a building project in that Church. The congregation is the same one that prays every Sunday against bad leaders and corruption. They are not from Mars. They know the man is currently standing trial for public looting and grand larceny. Yet, he was applauded graciously.

I am not a priest. Will I ever be one, I do not know. I also do not know the why Churches do what they do. What I do know, however, is that at some point, we will exhaust the store of goodwill and mercy in Heaven if we continue on the path we currently tread.

Atuche is one man. There are many more from where that came from. We will see them next Sunday. In fact, one of the affected Bank chiefs was a deacon in a Church in Nigeria and is alleged to be one of the major financiers of an aircraft for the Church.

The EFCC must exercise caution. The priests did not coerce Atuche into paying his tithes. They did not write the Bible either. He did so on his own volition and as such, they should have no case to answer. This may sound reprehensible to anti-corruption campaigners. They are technically not accomplices in his crime. A law can be promulgated to compel Churches to report suspicious looking donations and offerings. There is a law that currently compels Nigerian banks to report transactions above certain amounts. This new law can be tailored similarly to meet the peculiarities of religious houses. Then and only then can we legally hold the priests responsible.

Our pastors and priests are also human beings. They are however expected to be morally 'super-human'. Yes, the Church has expenses and projects but they should also know where to draw the line. Even when they are not obliged to report such offerings or even investigate such people, setting a standard by not glorifying these miscreants will go a long way in reassuring their flock that truly, they are morally upright men.

Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. And even, if they must, they should not face the walls when they do. Our Churches must stand up against corruption in every form. So help us God.

The question remains; Did Atuche give to God or to Caesar? Caesar being anybody you want him to be in this case.