Condemnation has continued to greet Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries declaration that “Jesus hates poverty” and believers should not “associate with the poor.”
His remarks have sparked widespread criticisms, drawing responses from prominent voices like Pastor William Kumuyi, Dr. Olufemi Emmanuel, and Apostle Arome Osayi, who called for a more balanced, scripture-based understanding of Jesus’ teachings on wealth and poverty. ADEOLA OGUNLADE reports
FOUNDER of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s recent message where he declared that poverty is not compatible with Christianity has been condemned by prominent clerics in the country. Ibiyeomie, in the controversial message stated emphatically that “Jesus hates poverty” and that no believer should “associate with the poor.”
In the viral message delivered during a church service and circulated by Kingdom Update TV, Ibiyeomie argued that Jesus Christ paid the price not only for sin but also for poverty and sickness, and as such, remaining poor contradicts the purpose of His death and resurrection.
“Jesus was made poor so that you might be rich,” Ibiyeomie said. “To remain poor is to say His death and resurrection were in vain. Just like you reject sin and sickness, you should also reject poverty.”
He went on to say that while Christians are expected to help the poor, they should not “associate” or “stay with the poor,” drawing parallels between this and the biblical warning against associating with sinners.
“Jesus didn’t visit poor people. He visited Zacchaeus, who was rich. He was given food, not asking for it. He hates poverty. You can come to Christ poor, but you are not permitted to remain poor,” he added.
According to Ibiyeomie, poverty is not just a financial condition but a mentality. “You are not poor because you lack money; you are poor because of how you think. Nigeria is rich in resources but still called poor because of its mindset,” he said, pointing to perspective and revelation as key tools for escaping poverty.
He urged believers to “lift their faith” and accept the totality of Jesus’s sacrifice, which he said includes financial prosperity.
“Why do you accept righteousness and health, but reject prosperity? Jesus became sin, became sick, and became poor so that you may become righteous, healthy, and rich. Rejecting any of these is rejecting what Jesus paid for.
Read Also: Don’t accept money from senior pastors, it reduces blessings – David Ibiyeomie
Mixed reactions from the public
The message has sparked a wave of reactions across social media. While some followers defended the pastor’s message as a call for spiritual and financial empowerment, others criticised his tone, accusing him of misrepresenting the Gospel and undermining the Christian call to humility and compassion.
Clarifying the Message: I will not apologies
Towards the end of his message, Ibiyeomie emphasised that he was not trying to spark controversy but to bring what he called a “revelation” to believers.
“I will not apologise. I’m not speaking to stir arguments. I’m operating at a level of revelation. Understanding differs,” he said. “My message is not to insult or shame anyone, but to show that poverty is not your destiny in Christ.”
He also reiterated that Christians must help the poor but insisted that remaining poor or embracing poverty is anti-scripture.
“Help the poor, but don’t settle with poverty. God’s plan is for abundance. Anything less is a contradiction of grace.”
Love of money could destroy the Church- Kumuyi warns pastors
As controversy continues to swirl around Ibiyeomie’s message, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, in a recent message warned pastors against the love of money which according to him could destroy many churches.
He took a swipe at churches that place emphasis on material gains as against preparing men for heaven, saying fulfilling God’s purpose and making heaven at last is imperative for believers.
Kumuyi’s remarks come amid intense public scrutiny of wealth-driven gospel narratives, particularly those that equate financial prosperity with divine favour — a teaching critics say has fueled materialism in the church and marginalised the poor.
Historical Jesus and the poor: Dr. Olufemi Emmanuel responds to Ibiyeome’s message
Also reacting to Ibiyeomie’s remarks, a leading theologian and provost of West African Theological Seminary, Dr. Olufemi Emmanuel, called for a sound theological reflection based on scripture and historical context.
Emmanuel, a respected Bible scholar who spoke to The Nation, dismissed as misleading the viral assertion that Jesus “hated the poor” and primarily associated with the rich during his earthly ministry. He described such claims as a “reckless interpretation of the Bible” and warned against trivializing Christ’s redemptive purpose.
Dr. Emmanuel acknowledged that Jesus had relationships with notable wealthy figures, such as Lazarus and his sisters (Luke 10:38; John 11:1–5), Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:1–5), Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36–43), and Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57). He, however, argued that to conclude Jesus only engaged meaningfully with the rich reflects a “gross ignorance” of the essence of His mission.
“Jesus’s ministry was never about materialism. His coming was anchored on the plan of redemption set forth in Genesis, not in economic empowerment,” he stated.
Highlighting the inclusivity of Jesus’s ministry, Dr. Emmanuel stressed that Christ was sent as God’s gift to all humanity, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
“Jesus called fishermen, tax collectors, and women of various social standings into his ministry. His followers were a blend of people from different walks of life — not exclusively the wealthy,” he said.
He cited Luke 8:1–3, which documents women like Joanna, wife of Chuza, a manager in Herod’s household, supporting Jesus’s ministry, noting that their involvement was driven more by conviction than by wealth.
Christ identified with the poor
Addressing the heart of the controversy, Dr. Emmanuel emphasized that Jesus, by divine design, identified fully with the poor.
“He emptied Himself of His divine privileges, coming in human flesh, living humbly, and being often moved with compassion for the poor and marginalised,” he explained.
Quoting scriptures such as Luke 4:18, Philippians 2:7-8, and 2 Corinthians 8:9, Dr. Emmanuel asserted that Christ’s ministry prioritised bringing good news to the poor both spiritually and materially.
“Jesus operated not from a position of material opulence but often as one afflicted by poverty. The prophetic imagery in Zechariah 9:9 describes him as ‘lowly’ — literally meaning ‘wretched’ in the Hebrew.”
Dr. Emmanuel pointed out that the early disciples mirrored their Master’s humble lifestyle. Citing Peter’s statement in Acts 3:6 — “Silver and gold I do not have” — he underscored that Christ’s followers were not materially wealthy but were rich in faith.
He also referenced Apostle Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:12 and Apostle James’s denunciation of partiality against the poor (James 2:5) to demonstrate that early Christianity did not equate spiritual success with material prosperity.
