By Our Correspondent
Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has stirred widespread reactions after stating that church instrumentalists and other workers who receive payment for rendering service to God may never attain true riches.
Speaking during a church service, the cleric argued that serving God should not be motivated by financial rewards, saying that accepting payment for ministry service could hinder believers from experiencing God’s full blessing.
According to him, “In some churches, when people beat drums, they pay them for beating drums. That’s why you’ll never be rich. If you are hearing me anywhere in the world, and they pay you for rendering service, I can tell you, you’ll never come out of poverty.”
Citing the biblical passage, “Thou shalt serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread and your water,” Ibiyeomie maintained that God’s blessings come through selfless service rather than wages received from ministry. He further stated that those who are paid for serving in church remain limited to the amount they earn, adding that “the blessing of the Lord maketh rich.”
The remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Christians agreeing that ministry should be driven by a heart of service, while others pointed to biblical passages that support compensating those who labor in ministry.
The comments continue to fuel discussions on the role of financial compensation for church workers and the balance between voluntary service and earning a livelihood through ministry.
