Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries has ignited a heated debate after stating that while Christians can help the poor, they should not associate with them. In a sermon that quickly went viral, Ibiyeomie claimed that Jesus never visited the home of a poor person, interpreting this as a sign that Christ “hates poverty.” He asserted that poverty is not God’s plan for believers and that remaining poor after accepting Christ reflects a lack of spiritual understanding.
“I’m telling you, Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, that means He hates poverty. He visited Lazarus, who was not poor, and Zacchaeus, who was rich. Tell me one poor man that Jesus entered his house. He hates poverty,” Ibiyeomie told his congregation.
The pastor emphasized that while it is acceptable to come to Christ as a poor person, it is wrong to remain poor, framing poverty as a spiritual issue to be overcome through faith.
Backlash from Religious Leaders
Ibiyeomie’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from prominent Nigerian Christian leaders. Pastor Abel Damina of Power City International Ministry called the statement a distortion of biblical truth, accusing Ibiyeomie of twisting scripture to promote materialism. Damina pointed out that Jesus identified with the poor throughout His life, citing His humble birth and ministry to marginalized people.
Similarly, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Lagos State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), labeled Ibiyeomie’s sermon as dangerous and misleading. He stressed that Jesus’ mission was to love and uplift the poor, and warned Christians against being swayed by “fake pastors” who prioritize wealth over authentic gospel teaching.
Supporters Defend Ibiyeomie’s Intent
Some commentators argue that Ibiyeomie’s statement was taken out of context and that his underlying message is that God hates poverty, not poor people. They highlight the pastor’s history of charitable work and suggest his teaching aims to inspire believers to rise above poverty through spiritual growth and practical effort.
Theological Concerns
Critics also warn that the claim Jesus never visited the poor contradicts scripture, which portrays Jesus as a champion of the poor and oppressed. Biblical passages such as Luke 4:18 emphasize Jesus’ mission to preach good news to the poor, and His own humble origins underscore His identification with poverty.
Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s controversial sermon has sparked a nationwide conversation about poverty, faith, and the role of the church in addressing economic hardship. While some see his message as a call to spiritual empowerment, others view it as a harmful misrepresentation of Christ’s compassion. The debate underscores the delicate balance religious leaders must maintain when addressing sensitive social issues.