Pastor Ibiyeomie Claims Jesus Avoided the Poor, Says Christ Hates Poverty
The Founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred public debate with a controversial claim that Jesus Christ detested poverty and deliberately avoided close interactions with the poor during His time on earth.
In a sermon video that went viral on Sunday, Pastor Ibiyeomie told his congregation that the Bible contains no account of Jesus visiting a poor person’s home — a detail he interprets as evidence that Christ disapproved of poverty.
“Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, check your Bible,” Ibiyeomie said. “That means he hates poverty. He visited Lazarus, they were not poor, they gave 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.”
The pastor further asserted that Jesus’ death and resurrection were not only for salvation but also to free believers from financial hardship. He emphasized that while it is acceptable to come to Christ in poverty, remaining poor after accepting Him is unacceptable.
“You can come poor but you’re not permitted to remain poor,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with coming to Christ as a poor man, but it’s wrong to remain poor. It is wrong.”
The remarks have sparked intense reactions online, with many questioning the theological basis of his claims and accusing him of promoting a prosperity-focused gospel. Others, however, view his message as a call to personal and financial transformation through faith.
