CAN Slams Pastor David Ibiyeomie Over Sermon Claiming Jesus Hates Poverty

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly criticised Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, over a controversial sermon in which he claimed that Jesus Christ hated poverty and never associated with the poor.

In a viral video, Pastor Ibiyeomie told his congregation that Jesus never visited any poor person’s home during His time on earth, interpreting this as evidence that Christ disapproved of poverty. He further argued that Christ’s death and resurrection were not only for salvation but also to free believers from poverty, stating that continued poverty after accepting Christ indicated a lack of spiritual understanding.

“Jesus never visited any poor person in his house, that means He hates poverty… He hates people who are poor. He died for you not to be poor,” Ibiyeomie declared during the sermon.

Reacting to the remarks, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, condemned the statement, calling it a “dangerous distortion” of Christ’s message. Speaking in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH, Adegbite described Ibiyeomie’s interpretation as “loose talk” and a “misrepresentation of sound biblical teaching.”

“He should not mislead people. Jesus is a lover of the poor and He identified with them. That is one of the reasons He came into the world,” Adegbite said, urging Christians not to be swayed by teachings from “fake pastors” who prioritize prosperity over the gospel truth.

“The message Jesus wants us to preach is about salvation, because that is the whole essence of Christ’s coming,” he added.