Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, has stirred debate after expressing reservations about paying church instrumentalists for their services.
Speaking during a recent sermon, the cleric questioned the practice of compensating musicians, particularly drummers, for ministering during church programmes.
He maintained that service in God’s house should be driven by devotion and a desire to honour God rather than financial gain.
Citing Exodus 23:25, which states, “You shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water,” Ibiyeomie said divine blessings are attached to selfless service and dedication to God.
According to the pastor, individuals who focus primarily on financial rewards for church assignments may limit themselves to the wages they receive instead of experiencing what he described as God’s greater blessings.
“The moment they pay you, the blessing stops,” he said, adding that the blessing of the Lord is what brings lasting prosperity and increase.
“‘And the blessing of the Lord maketh rich,’ so you just remain at the level they are paying you. You will never rise. As you see, drummers who receive money never get rich”
Debate over paid ministry roles
The remarks have generated widespread discussion among Christians and church leaders, with many expressing differing opinions on whether church musicians and other workers should be financially compensated for their contributions.
While some believers agree that ministry should be rooted in sacrifice and service to God, others argue that instrumentalists and church workers invest significant time, skills and resources in their duties and therefore deserve support for their labour.
Watch the video here….
“The moment you get paid for serving God, the blessing of God stops. If they pay you for playing drums or other things in church, you’ll never get out of poverty”
— Pastor David Ibiyeomie pic.twitter.com/tAtjeUJz94
— yinkaaaaa (@whoisgmz_) June 28, 2026