Marvin Sapp Says 'Close Them Doors,' Demands $40K In Tithes
‘Close Them Doors’ Marvin Sapp Tells Ushers After Demanding $40K In Tithes From Church—X Users Go Off!
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
An unearthed sermon from Gospel singer and bishop Marvin Sapp has some questioning his place of worship.
A clip, which TMZ says is from the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World annual summer convention, has begun to circulate on social media of Sapp spreading the good word until things flipped when he broached the topic of tithing.
He took the donation plate a bit too seriously when he blocked off the building’s exit so that all churchgoers would offer up some money.
“There’s 1,000 of you. I said close them doors. Ushers close the doors. We all gon’ leave together. Y’all ain’t going no place but to the restaurant,” he says into the microphone as the crowd laughs.
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He continues with some quick math, accounting for the 1,000 people present and another 1,000 streaming the service. If they each contribute $20, the congregation will receive $40,000.
He then addressed the fellow preachers in the pulpit, saying that since they’ve all “sowed and seeded,” he needed them to give him $100 because it “costs to sit up here.”
The Grammy-nominated singer literally puts his money where his mouth is by whipping out his money clip and peeling off a few notes to put in the basket.
“If you’re giving electronically or tangibly. I’m gonna have y’all come to the altar and give it because I need to see 1,000 people moving,” he says, instructing the ushers to bring the baskets to the front. “Y’all start moving, start coming now. Even if you’re giving electronically, tap your phone on the bucket. Giving is worship. This ain’t the time to talk.”
There’s nothing wrong with asking churchgoers to donate, but many took issue with closing the doors, so Sapp posted a very lengthy response on Facebook, preaching safety.
“The truth is, when finances are being received in any worship gathering, it is one of the most vulnerable and exposed times for both the finance and security teams,” he wrote. “Movement during this sacred exchange can be distracting and, at times, even risky. My directive was not about control it was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give, and for those handling the resources.”
Sapp explains that “churches have budgets” to meet, and ends the explanation with “Honor, clarity, and truth are what I owe the people, and I’ll always provide just that.”
Social media isn’t buying it, though. See the reactions below.
