If you're serious about taxing tithe then sue God, Bishop says

A City Bishop has warned that the talks about taxing churches ought not to be entertained by the courts.

Bishop Samuel Njiriri of Stewards Revival church in Nairobi says that if that is actualised, it means double taxes on the clergy.

The chairman of the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Churches was reacting to a move by a Nakuru doctor who has moved to court seeking orders imposing taxes on offerings.

“Offerings and tithes are voluntary unless the person who has moved to court does not understand that. I think the doctor is seeking popularity,” Njiriri explained.

In his court papers, Magare Gikenyi argued that tithes, offerings and donations and other monies are not taxed. He added that the tax burden should be shared equally and fairly as opposed to other Kenyans carrying a load on behalf of others.

But Njiriri fired back saying: “You cannot tax God, even the Bible is clear on giving Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Furthermore, money being brought to church has already been taxed, so it cannot be taxed twice.”

The Bishop argued that churches are not businesses yet preachers are spreading the word of God to Kenyans and they change lives through preaching.

“The church is not paid by God. If the person is serious about his petition then he should sue God. What the churches get is sacrificial offerings and tithes,” Njiriri explained.