A Kenyan pastor has sparked a lively online debate after a video emerged showing him addressing his congregation over a shockingly low tithe collection of just KSh 185.
In the clip, the preacher is seen standing at the front of the church, dressed in a suit and holding the offerings basket.
Why was the pastor frustrated?
Visibly frustrated, he made no effort to hide his disappointment, directing sharp words at the congregation over what he considered an insult to the work of the church.
“This is not service to God; this is playing. Do you guys think I eat the tithe? I don’t. A church should give tithe,” he said, scanning the basket that contained little more than a single hundred-shilling note and a handful of smaller bills.
The pastor went on to reveal the pressure the church was under, noting that they had a burial and were also dealing with a visiting preacher who needed transport money to get back home.
With 300 members in attendance, the KSh 185 collected left him visibly exasperated.
“I don’t want to pocket the money. I cannot put such little money in my pocket, as it will attract poverty. The church has 300 people, and we have KSh 185 in tithe. Where are we headed as a church? We have a guest church, and we must cater for their fare back home,” he said.
Gospel singer Silvah Mistarish reacted to the video with a string of laughing emojis, capturing the mixed feelings many Kenyans shared online.
The clip drew a flood of responses from people who saw both the humour and the hard economic reality behind the pastor’s outburst.
@__karuku:
“The pastors of this generation are going to be very broke.”
@kwamboka_nadiah:
“We said without a side hustle, pastors can’t make it.”
@book.den:
“The economy is bad.”
@d._.audi:
“We know someone wants to cry.”
