- Safiu Kehinde
Popular Nigerian Pastor, David Ibiyeomie, of Salvation Ministries has stirred controversies following his claim that Jesus hates poverty and would not associate with poor people.
Ibiyeomie made the claim during one of his recent sermons shared on X on Monday.
Citing His visit to wealthy individuals like Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and Lazarus, who provided Him food, the cleric held that Jesus never visited any poor individual’s house during his earthly days because He hated poverty.
“Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, check your bible. That means he hates poverty. He visited Lazarus, they were not poor, they were giving him food.
“He visited a sinner, Zacchaeus, who was rich. Tell me one poor man Jesus entered his house. He hates poverty, that’s the meaning. He hates people who are poor. He died for you not to be poor. How can you now come to church with some kind of mentality.” Ibiyeome said.
The cleric added that Jesus’ death made it unacceptable for Christians to be poor.
“You can come poor but you’re not permitted to remain poor. There’s nothing wrong with you coming to Christ as a poor man, but it’s wrong for you to remain poor. It is wrong.” He added.
This has, however, generated reactions from netizens on X who faulted the clergyman’s claim.
“Hmm… Jesus don’t like his children to be poor. That’s why he was born poor so that we might be rich. Being poor and rich is a decision that’s why that might is there. But this doesn’t have to do with Jesus Christ not mingling with the poor is very wrong. The Bible didn’t say that. If you check the Bible he even mingle with the poor. The blind, the lepers, the woman with illness, the outcast. Jesus mingle with them. Please we shouldn’t preach what we don’t know that will tarnish the image of the people or your congregation.” @thealexisJnr
“And some d@ft Christians would still be defending this man now for this kind of statement he said? It’s so unfortunate that Christianity has drifted to this level!🤦🤦”@Jonehmk
“Na dis one and fufeyin members mumu pass for dis world. Like how’re they not seeing the scam”@Manuel
“John21 vs 24-25. Not all the things Jesus did were recorded in the Bible. Saying he ‘never’ may be wrong. Also what is the definition of poverty in the Bible time vs now?” @abiodun_joko
“But the most trusted friends(Disciples) Jesus had were POOR! A case study Peter was a Peasant FISHERMAN!”@EmekaOraneche
“Jesus father is a carpenter not rich. And Jesus always gives to the poor, but clergymen these day enriches themselves with offerings/tithes thereby deviate from what is ordained in the Holy Book.”@PopoolaOHassan1
“That’s how all these prosperity gospel preachers pushes people into pursuing wealth by all means which is part of what have landed into the mess we are today”@KizySenator
“Jesus had warned His followers to beware of FALSE prophets,who will come claiming to represent Him. Jesus,NEVER preached about material prosperity,but spiritual salvation.”@ToniaGeorge4re4
“Over to his followers. The Quran says all prophets of Allah loved the poor by praying to God to provide and protect them”@al_mumin
“Jesus would have chosen to be born into the wealthiest family in the world. But he chosed the poor carpenter.
Jesus warned us about fake prophets like this”@mishaelizunwa
“Please don’t change the narrative. He said “He hates poverty”@jubileeamos3
“if he finds them in his church why not he tries and elevate them frm their present situation, yet no service ends without tithe and offering or sowing of seeds. in fact this particular sermon will end with “the more u give, d more God will bless u”. wat hv dey eva givn bck?”@phelixjayreal