The Anglican Bishop of Ilesha Diocese, The Rt Rev Dapo Asaju has berated Pastor David Ibiyeomie of the Salvation Ministries based in Portharcourt describing him as a theological illiterate for saying Jesus never associated with the poor.
He made the submission in a recent broadcast on the Advent Cable News Network, the official news channel of the Anglican Communion.
Asaju who was visibly annoyed by the statement of Ibiyeomie wondered why he would go to the extent of saying Jesus did not associate with the poor.
He said Jesus left his glory in heaven and was born in a manger.
He asked, ‘who was born like that among us?’ adding, ‘He grew up as foster son to a carpenter. While on earth he had nothing. He lived a Spartan life. He associated with the wealthy so he could save them.
‘He warned us against wealth and said what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul. And someone says he never associated with the poor? That is arrant nonsense.’
While maintaining that Jesus did not glorify poverty either , he said. ‘Jesus was telling us we can’t serve God and mammon
Asaju a professor and former lecturer at the Lagos State University said ‘Jesus came for both the poor and the rich. His lifestyle was simple. He died, resurrected and went back to heaven without any record of material acquisition. How then can somebody say he did not associate with the poor. These people are serving mammon.’ Asaju retorted.
He described prosperity preachers as worshipers of mammon saying they think God is glorified by their opulent lifestyle.
He said true Christianity is to look at the lifestyle of Jesus and imitate him. ‘That is Christianity and not all this glorification of wealth and material things’
1 comment
Very correct