Pastor John Wesley Amenuku Agble, leader of the Apostolic Recovery Movement, has expressed strong opposition to teachings that encourage believers to prioritise financial support for their parents over giving to their pastors.
In a sermon delivered to his congregation and circulated widely on social media, he criticised such guidance, arguing that it misrepresents the spiritual hierarchy within Christianity.
According to him, the influence and responsibilities of a pastor in a believer’s life surpass those of parents.
He acknowledged the biblical directive for individuals to honour their father and mother, but maintained that a pastor’s role in providing spiritual direction and guiding believers toward eternal life carries greater weight.
Pastor Amenuku further contended that some clergy who advise congregants to give to their parents before making offerings to their pastors are not acting in alignment with Christian teachings.
He described such messages as misleading and indicative of a misunderstanding of spiritual priorities.
“You hear pastors say that if you have not given your mother this amount of money and you bring it to me as a pastor, you are not wise.
“Have you heard it before? They say you should give to your parents first before you come and give to the pastor. And when you hear such speeches, I’m telling you, you know that he’s not working for Jesus Christ,” he said.
Expanding on his position, he argued that parents themselves often depend on pastors for spiritual guidance, healing, and blessings.
He noted that this reinforces the pastor’s position as the primary spiritual authority within both individual lives and families.
He compared the roles of parents and pastors, stating that while parents bring a person into the world, pastors are responsible for guiding them toward eternal salvation, which he considers of greater importance.