Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, recently shared his belief that Jesus Christ strongly opposed poverty and did not associate closely with the poor during His time on earth.
While addressing his congregation on Sunday, Pastor Ibiyeomie claimed that, according to scripture, Jesus never entered the home of a poor person—a detail he interprets as evidence of Christ’s disapproval of poverty.
He went on to explain that Jesus’ death and resurrection were not only for the purpose of salvation but also to deliver believers from a life of lack. Remaining in poverty after accepting Christ, he argued, reflects a lack of spiritual insight.
“Jesus never visited any poor person in their home—check your Bible,” Ibiyeomie said. “That means He doesn’t approve of poverty. He visited Lazarus and his sisters—they weren’t poor, they were feeding Him. He visited Zacchaeus, a wealthy man, even though he was a sinner. Show me one poor man whose house Jesus entered. He hates poverty—that’s the message.”
He added, “You can come to Christ poor, but you are not meant to stay poor. There’s nothing wrong with beginning your journey in lack, but remaining in poverty is not God’s will.”