PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – In a sermon that has sparked debate within and beyond Nigeria’s Christian community, the founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has declared that Jesus Christ did not associate with poor people during his time on earth, suggesting that Christ detested poverty.
Speaking during a service at the ministry’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Pastor Ibiyeomie claimed that the mission of Jesus was not limited to spiritual salvation, but also aimed to lift believers out of poverty. According to him, remaining poor after becoming a Christian is a sign of ignorance of the true purpose of Christ’s resurrection.
“Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, check your Bible,” he told his congregation. “That means he hates poverty.”
He further explained that Jesus chose to dine with wealthy individuals and that there is no record of him visiting any poor person’s home, which, according to Ibiyeomie, implies a divine disdain for poverty.
A Message Rooted in Prosperity Doctrine
The remarks reflect a strong prosperity gospel perspective — a belief system that links faith in God with material wealth, health, and success. Pastor Ibiyeomie is one of Nigeria’s most prominent advocates of this theological view. His church, Salvation Ministries, with branches across the country and abroad, frequently delivers messages centered on financial breakthrough, divine elevation, and economic empowerment.
“Jesus visited Lazarus — they were not poor, they were giving him food,” he said. “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.”
He continued, “You can come to church poor, but you’re not permitted to remain poor. There’s nothing wrong with coming to Christ as a poor man, but it’s wrong for you to remain poor. It is wrong.”
Public Reactions: Divided Responses Online and Offline
The sermon, widely circulated through social media clips and church broadcasts, has drawn a mixed response from Nigerians. While some Christians hailed the message as empowering, others criticized it as a misinterpretation of scripture that could alienate vulnerable believers.
Supporters argue that the message reflects a biblical principle of abundance and aligns with the need to break cycles of poverty, particularly in a nation where many citizens struggle with unemployment and poor infrastructure.
“He’s preaching hope. What’s wrong with telling people that God doesn’t want them to remain poor?” wrote one commenter on Facebook. “Too many people are stuck in poverty because they’ve accepted it as God’s will.”
On the other hand, critics pointed out that Jesus repeatedly reached out to the marginalized — including the poor, the sick, and the outcasts of society — making the claim that he avoided the poor questionable from a scriptural standpoint.
“Jesus fed the 5,000, healed beggars, and praised a poor widow who gave all she had,” tweeted a Lagos-based seminary student. “Saying he hated the poor is not only misleading but dangerous theology.”
Scholarly Pushback: Biblical Experts Weigh In
Several Christian scholars have offered context, challenging Ibiyeomie’s reading of scripture. Dr. Femi Ajayi, a New Testament theologian and lecturer in Lagos, said that while the prosperity gospel appeals to many, especially in countries with economic instability, it often lacks a balanced interpretation of the Bible.
“Jesus Christ did interact with wealthy individuals, yes, but the heart of his ministry was compassion toward the poor and vulnerable,” Ajayi explained. “He warned against the dangers of wealth, as seen in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and called his followers to care for the least among them.”
Dr. Ajayi noted that interpreting Jesus’ movements based on the wealth status of those he visited can create a distorted view of his mission.
“It is a leap to say Jesus hated the poor simply because he didn’t enter a poor man’s house — especially when much of his public ministry was spent outdoors, preaching to multitudes, many of whom were poor,” he said.
The Nigerian Context: Faith Meets Economic Reality
The popularity of wealth-focused sermons in Nigeria cannot be divorced from the country’s socio-economic realities. With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, messages promising divine prosperity resonate deeply with millions seeking hope amid hardship.
Churches, particularly Pentecostal ones, have become both spiritual sanctuaries and motivational spaces where financial empowerment is preached as a covenant right for believers. Pastors like Ibiyeomie have built massive followings by blending Christian teachings with financial literacy and entrepreneurial encouragement.
However, critics argue that the pressure to attain wealth can foster guilt, competition, or disillusionment among believers who do not see immediate results.
“There’s a difference between preaching prosperity and promoting financial wisdom,” said one Lagos-based pastor who preferred to remain anonymous. “But when the pulpit becomes a place where poverty is condemned instead of addressed, we risk losing sight of Christ’s compassion.”
A Broader Debate in Global Christianity
The tension between spiritual and material expectations is not unique to Nigeria. Globally, the prosperity gospel has drawn both admiration and criticism. Its leaders often boast of large congregations, private jets, and international outreach — but have also faced scrutiny over theology, finances, and ethics.
In Africa, however, where economic inequality and governmental failure are widespread, prosperity preaching often fills a void, offering hope where institutions fall short.
Yet, as debates around Ibiyeomie’s comments continue, many are calling for a more balanced narrative — one that acknowledges the biblical call to abundance while not dismissing the struggles of the poor or rewriting Christ’s example.
Conclusion
Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s recent sermon has once again stirred a long-standing conversation within Nigeria’s Christian landscape: the role of wealth, poverty, and purpose in the life of a believer. While some see his remarks as a wake-up call to rise above limitations, others believe the message misses the broader spirit of Christ’s teachings.
As Nigeria grapples with deep economic challenges, the church remains a key space for shaping public values and aspirations. Whether prosperity is seen as a divine promise or a human responsibility, the conversation around faith and finance is far from over.
