Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has responded to the backlash surrounding a recent sermon in which he claimed that Jesus Christ hates poverty. The message, which quickly spread across social media, stirred mixed reactions, with critics accusing the Port Harcourt-based pastor of promoting questionable theology.
In the now-viral sermon, Ibiyeomie stated that during his earthly ministry, Jesus never visited the home of a poor person, implying that poverty is something Jesus disapproves of.
His words were:
“If I tell you something, it will baffle you. Jesus never visited any poor person in the house. Read your Bible. That means he hates poverty. Check! He visited Lazarus, they were not poor, they were giving him food. He visited a sinner called Zachaeus, who was rich. Tell me one poor Jesus entered his house. He hates poverty, that’s the meaning. He hates people who are poor. He died for you not be poor. So, how can you now, come into church and have that kind of mentality. You can come poor but you are not permitted to remain poor. Nothing wrong you coming to Christ as a poor man but it is wrong for you to remain what? It is wrong!”
Backlash Follows Viral Sermon
The statement drew widespread criticism, with many accusing the pastor of twisting scripture and promoting a prosperity gospel message. Critics argued that the teachings were not only misleading but also unbiblical. Some said the remarks painted an inaccurate picture of Jesus and his mission.
However, Pastor Ibiyeomie later addressed the backlash in another video that surfaced online. In it, he defended his position and insisted that his message was not in error.
“If I’m Wrong, I Won’t Claim I’m Right” – Ibiyeomie Stands By His Message
Ibiyeomie revealed that after the uproar, he turned to the Holy Spirit for clarity. According to him, he was reassured that his teaching was accurate and scripturally sound.
“People were calling me. One or two persons were calling me, saying the internet is on fire. I said what is on fire? I don’t even know what is on fire. I’m not interested. But out of curiosity, I said Holy Spirit, if I’m wrong, tell me and I will never say I’m right when I’m wrong. He was dictating God’s word to me verbatim. He said ‘you are not wrong, you are right.’ I said how? He said listen, and he began to break down scriptures. He said I became sin for humanity. True? I said yes. He said you became sin. He said that’s why we must not….He said do you like sin? I said no. He said Christians hate sin? I said yes. He said can you be a friend to a sinner? He said no. He said you can only lead people to Christ but you cannot be a friend to be a friend to a sinner. Is that not true? Is that not true? He quoted Bible scriptures for me. And he said ‘don’t sit in the counsel of the ungodly. We says so. Is that not true? If a believer is mixing with sinners, I think you say why is this man mixing with sinners? Don’t you say so? I think you say so? You say why can’t this man lead people to Christ? You say why is this man, why is he mixing with sinners? Everybody gets angry when a believer is mixing with sinners.”
Drawing Parallels Between Poverty and Sin
The preacher went further to say that poverty, like sin, is something believers should separate from. He emphasized that Jesus died not only for sin but also to lift people out of poverty.
“He said so, also when a believer mixes with the poor, people should be angry. He said ‘I was made poor that you might be rich.’ So poverty is not of me. He said you can help the poor but not associate with the poor. He said if you do that, you are saying my death and resurrection is in vain. I died that you might come out of poverty. So, you should not….now listen carefully: Do you like to stay with the sick? You don’t like to stay with the sick? Why? Because Jesus became health for you. So, do you like to stay with the poor? He became poor that you might what……? You can help the poor. That you don’t have money does not mean you are poor. Poverty is mentality.”
Mixed Reactions on Facebook
The follow-up video, shared on Facebook by Solomon Ibiyeomie, drew strong responses from users, with many challenging the pastor’s theology.
Emmanuel Chijioke commented:
“He should quote the scriptural chapter and verses. because the Holy Spirit never minister outside the context of the scripture. The Holy Spirit does not have its own message rather than the written word. Tell him to give of scriptural quotes. who are the ungodly the poor or the rich? With this kind of teaching, you go nowhere.”
Chi Chi said:
“It is not possible for everyone in a society to be rich, so rest. Your message is centered on prosperity final.”
Justice Osazuwa reacted:
“You are making more mistakes, another spirit has taken over, that was not the holy spirit, what you are saying now is even worse than what you said before. JESUS was called a friend of sinners in Matthew 11 vs 19 because he even ate with them. JESUS didn’t die for you to be a millionaire, he became poor for you to be rich in his grace and righteousness, neither poor or rich in that verse means what you understood, even if you want to interpret it in this manner, was Jesus rich in physical wealth or money? The answer is NO, Be humble enough and apologise for that repugnant message sir.”
