A popular Nigerian preacher, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred controversy after claiming that Jesus never loved the poor during His time on earth.

This claim was made in a viral sermon clip that has sparked widespread criticism on social media.

In the video, Pastor Ibiyeomie asserts that throughout Jesus’ 33 years of ministry, there is no record of Him visiting or entering a poor person’s home.

The pastor supported his controversial statement with biblical references, arguing that Jesus only visited wealthy individuals during His ministry.

Pastor Ibiyeomie insisted that Christians should not have a poverty mindset, since Christ already died to ensure they wouldn’t be poor.

He challenged believers to produce any scripture that shows Jesus entering the home of a poor person.

He said in part:

“Jesus never visited any poor person’s home. Read your Bible. It means He hates poverty.”

Read Also: "Those are looking for money": Gender CS nominee Cheptumo on female university students murder

He went on to cite examples of people in the Bible whom Jesus visited, giving his reasons why he believes they were not poor.

“Look, He visited Lazarus — they weren’t poor, they used to feed Him. He visited a sinner named Zacchaeus who was wealthy. Show me one poor person whose house Jesus entered. It means He hates poverty, and by extension, people who are poor. He died so that you wouldn’t be poor in mind when you come to church. But you're not permitted to remain poor…”

His sermon has caused mixed reactions online, with some questioning his interpretation of scripture — especially passages like the one stating that “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.”

Others disputed his claim that Lazarus was wealthy, pointing out the biblical account of a poor man named Lazarus who begged for crumbs.

Here are some of the online reactions:

@Bobbydbobo wrote: “These prosperity merchants again. Jesus literally said, ‘It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.’ They twist the gospel for their own benefit.”

@AtarodoScotch said: “If this is true, with all due respect, ‘You’re insane sir,’ because it makes no sense 😤🙄”

@VivienVivico wrote: “Wasn’t Lazarus, His friend, poor? Was Peter’s mother-in-law a rich woman?”