“I Gave God $1 Million, That's Why I am Not Poor ” - Pastor Ibiyeomie Claims Giving God $1 Million Kept Him From Poverty [VIDEO]

 

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, has stirred widespread conversation across Nigeria and beyond with a bold and spiritually charged financial confession. Speaking to his congregation during a recent church service, the Port Harcourt-based preacher declared, “I gave God 1 million dollars, that’s why I am not poor.” The statement, delivered with unwavering conviction, has since rippled through social media platforms, newsrooms, and religious circles, reigniting old debates around prosperity preaching and the role of wealth in spiritual life.

Addressing a packed auditorium, Ibiyeomie recalled how he once sowed a seed of $1 million—a staggering sum by any standard—as a sacrificial offering to God. According to him, that act of faith marked a turning point in his financial journey, affirming that divine principles of giving and prosperity are not mere theological abstractions, but real and actionable truths.

“You want to know why I’m not broke?” he asked the congregation, his voice firm and rhythmic. “I gave God a million dollars when I didn’t even have the kind of money I have now. I didn’t wait to become a billionaire before I gave sacrificially. I gave when it was costly. That’s why I can’t be poor.”

The statement has divided public opinion. Supporters see it as a testament to the biblical principle of seed sowing and divine multiplication. They cite scriptures such as Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6, which encourage giving as a pathway to receiving. Detractors, however, question the theology behind it, suggesting it promotes materialism cloaked in spirituality and misleads followers into equating divine favor with financial gain.

Beyond theology, the socio-economic context intensifies the discussion. Nigeria, with millions living below the poverty line, remains a nation where religion is deeply woven into everyday survival. Mega-churches thrive even as average citizens grapple with economic instability. For many, giving to God—often via pastoral institutions—is not just an act of devotion, but an act of hope.

A longtime member of Salvation Ministries who wished to remain anonymous told reporters that the pastor’s statement resonated with him. “He practices what he preaches. I’ve seen how the church has grown. We built this cathedral debt-free. That’s not magic, that’s divine principle. He inspires us to trust God more, even in our finances.”

Critics, on the other hand, remain skeptical of such teachings. Dr. Amina Yusuf, a sociologist who studies religion and society, warned against the glamorization of high-value donations as a path to divine blessings. “It becomes dangerous when pastors tie spiritual worth to financial capacity. Not everyone can give $1 million. The implication is that those who can’t are less blessed or less favored, and that’s not only theologically questionable but ethically problematic.”

The Nigerian public is no stranger to controversies surrounding pastors and wealth. From private jets to lavish lifestyles, church leaders often face scrutiny for the apparent gap between their teachings on humility and their personal affluence. Pastor Ibiyeomie has long been a prominent figure in the prosperity gospel movement, and his latest declaration reinforces his stance that God rewards givers generously and without fail.

Still, for his congregation, his testimony isn’t just about the money. It’s about the faith. His followers view the million-dollar donation not as a flex, but as a leap—one that proved God’s promises are not only spiritual but tangible.

Pastor Ibiyeomie concluded his message by urging believers to go beyond convenience in their offerings. “Giving is not just about what you part with; it’s about what you believe,” he said. “Don’t give God leftovers and expect overflow. Give in faith, and God will outgive you.”

As the dust settles around his remark, the nation finds itself at another crossroads of faith and finance, wondering whether the divine economy truly mirrors the earthly one—or challenges it entirely.

Whether hailed as a testament of spiritual conviction or criticized as a symptom of religious capitalism, Pastor Ibiyeomie’s declaration has once again ignited the age-old conversation: How much of our faith should be measured in naira—or in dollars?

"I gave God 1 million Dollars, that's why I am not poor." - Pastor David Ibiyeomie | #RwGBlog

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— RwGBlog 🇳🇬 (@rwgblog_) June 9, 2025