As an Evangelist for God and a servant of the truth of the gospel, I find it deeply troubling and misleading that Pastor David Ibiyeomie reportedly stated, “Jesus doesn’t like poor people.” Such a statement not only contradicts the heart of Christ but also misrepresents the message of the gospel, which is good news especially to the poor (Luke 4:18).
The Jesus I know, and the one I read about in my Bible, loves all people, rich and poor alike. He came to lift the humble, heal the brokenhearted, and bring hope to the downtrodden. The Scripture is clear in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV):
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
This powerful verse tells us that Jesus deliberately identified with the poor. He humbled Himself, not just spiritually but materially, choosing a life of simplicity to reach everyone regardless of status.
Jesus’ ministry was marked by compassion for the poor. He dined with the outcasts, healed beggars, and praised a poor widow’s offering over the abundance of the rich (Mark 12:41–44). When He declared His mission in Luke 4:18, He said:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…”
Such statements from the pulpit, especially by highly visible pastors, must be made with great caution. Words have power. They must reflect Christ’s love, not personal ideology. Poverty is not a curse, and it certainly isn’t a condition that Jesus despises. Rather, it’s often a ground for God’s grace to be revealed.
As followers of Christ, our duty is to uplift and encourage, not to condemn or misrepresent our Lord. Jesus doesn’t love us based on our bank accounts, He loves us unconditionally.
