‘Jesus Never Visited a Poor Person’, says Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the founder of Salvation Ministries, has stirred controversy with his recent remarks about poverty and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ibiyeomie stated this in his sermon captured on video and widely circulated on Sunday, stating that Jesus detests poverty and never entered the home of a poor person during His earthly ministry.

Addressing his congregation, Ibiyeomie emphasized that, according to scripture, Jesus’ actions demonstrate a divine disdain for poverty. He argued that Christ’s redemptive mission included delivering believers not only from sin but also from financial lack.

“Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, check your bible. That means he hates poverty,” Ibiyeomie stated. “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.”

Continuing his sermon, he told congregants that remaining poor after receiving Christ reflects a failure to grasp spiritual principles.

“He died for you not to be poor. How can you now come to church with some kind of mentality?” he said. “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.”

The remarks have sparked a wide range of reactions online, with many questioning the theological and scriptural basis of the pastor’s claims.