Popular Nigerian preacher, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred conversations online with a recent statement suggesting that Jesus never had any special connection with poor people.
During a worship service at his church, Pastor Ibiyeomie claimed that according to biblical records, Jesus never visited the house of any poor person throughout his ministry on earth.
The clergyman backed his claims with scriptural references, citing examples of people Jesus reportedly visited, such as Lazarus and Zacchaeus, who according to him, were wealthy individuals.
He noted that no record in the Bible shows Jesus entering the house of a poor man, which according to him, implies that Jesus detested poverty. The preacher went further to declare that no Christian should embrace a poverty mindset, because Jesus paid the price for their prosperity through his death and resurrection.
In his words …
“Jesus never visited any poor person in the house, read your Bible. That means he hates poverty. Check it — he visited Lazarus; they were not poor, they were giving him food. He visited a sinner called Zacchaeus who was rich. Tell me the one poor man Jesus entered his house. He hates poverty; that’s what it means. He hates people who are poor. He died for you not to be poor, so how can you now be coming to church with that kind of mentality? You can come poor, but you are not permitted to remain poor.”
Check out reactions that followed …
@realeddisoneo said: “But he went to raise Lazarus his poor friend from the grave… It’s high time we all start listening to Dr Abel Damina.”
@GodisnotaMan_ remarked: “Even for church, poor man no get peace of mind🤦🏻♂️.”
@Bobbydbobo wrote: “These marketers sha. Same Jesus that said ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.’ They will always want to preach prosperity for their own gain and then twist the Bible.”
@AtarodoScotch said: “If this is true… with all due respect, ‘You are mad sir,’ cause watin be this 😤🙄.”
@VivienVivicoko wrote: “Was Lazarus his friend a rich man? Was Peter’s mother-in-law a rich woman?”
Watch video below …
Jesus never visited any poor person in the house – Pastor David Ibiyeomie pic.twitter.com/usE9NqlOYq
— Naija (@Naija_PR) April 14, 2025