While attempting to elucidate a previous statement he made about poverty, Pastor David Ibiyeomie continues to hold that people can assist the impoverished but avoid interacting with them.
Ibiyeomie, the founder of Salvation Ministry, faced criticism for disparaging the poor and standing up for the wealthy.
In a follow-up speech, Ibiyeomie recommended believers to aid the impoverished but not mingle with them, likening it to avoiding sinners.
“Everybody gets angry when a believer is mixing with sinners, so also is when a believer mixes with the poor, people should be angry. He said I was made poor that you might be rich. So poverty is not of me.
“He said you can help the poor but not associate with the poor. He said that if you do that you’re saying my death and resurrection is in vane. Because I died that you may come out of poverty,” Ibiyeomie said.
He emphasized that one should avoid hanging around with the impoverished, just as one should avoid hanging around with sinners.
“Do you like to stay with the sick? Why because Jesus became health for you. Do you like to stay with the poor? He became poor that you can help the poor. That you don’t have money does not mean you’re poor. Poverty is mentality.”
