By Shina Abubakar Osogbo

An Osun State-based cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye has disclosed that very rich Nigerian pastors have ignored the cries of struggling clerics but preferred to publicly display affluence.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Monday.

Bishop Adeoye, the General Overseer, Sufficient Grace and Truth International Ministries (SGTIM), Osun State, said only two percent of pastors in the country are rich contrary to notion that men of God are living big.

He added that collection of tithes and offerings does not make a cleric rich, saying those spreading the notion were advancing “satanic” messages not only against men of God but also against the Church.

“Yes, it is true that some men of God in Nigeria are very rich but they are less than two percent. The fact is that their sources of possessions may not necessarily be through collections of tithes and offerings.

“Unfortunately, these wealthy General Overseers and pastors have built tall walls around themselves, publicly showcasing their affluence but ignoring the cries of ministers of God struggling for survival.

“We have seen a situation in this country when millions of naira was donated to a university zoo by a particular influential man of God to feed animals when tens of thousands of genuine men of God and their families were dying of hunger.

Admonishing rich pastors, he said, “When you are raised up by God’s grace, you should look down, and lend helping hands to others in need of help. That’s the character of Jesus Christ.

“Let’s tell our wealthy folks who built cities to read again to story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 30 – 35 and asked them, ‘How many pastors have they helped outside their ministries?’”.

“In today’s ministry, the rich only talk to the rich and relate with themselves. But soon and indeed very soon, I see these walls crumbling and the big empires collapsing.

“In 2026, some big names will leave the scene. It will be a big bang that will shake everywhere. So, the Almighty is telling them now to put their houses in order.

The Bishop further urged Nigerians to get ready for a new year of forward movement with abundant of God’s blessings.