Popular UK-based Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has stirred reactions following his recent comments about the relationship between salvation and poverty.
During a chat with Shank, Adegboyega said that one could still sin if one has salvation without money, opining that poverty often drives people into compromising situations despite their spiritual convictions.
How churches fail their members
He further explained that many churches fail their members by focusing only on salvation without empowering them economically.
Pastor Tobi speaks on a pastor’s duty
According to him, a pastor’s duty should not end at preaching but should extend to building systems and businesses that create financial opportunities for the congregation.
Adegboyega also criticized the structure of some churches where the pastor will be rich, but the people will be poor.
He stressed that true Christian growth should reflect both spiritual and material prosperity, arguing that prosperity and salvation must go hand in hand to ensure that believers live fulfilling and righteous lives.
His words …
“Your own pastors take from them. We have built communities to make people rich. Prosperity alongside salvation. You see it or you see young people that are prosperous. So it is salvation first. The church, your pastor, must not be have work enough to set up businesses that make you prosper. Because if you have salvation and you are poor, you will sin last and last. If you have salvation and you are poor, you will sin . Yes, because you want to eat. Because you have no choice. Yes, because you want to eat. This is the kind of churches we grow up in. The pastor will be rich, but the people will be poor.”
Watch video below …
“If you have salvation, and you’re p00r, you’ll sin last last”
— Pastor Tobi Adegboyega. pic.twitter.com/PPoZaftFPY
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) October 6, 2025
