Pastor Bolaji Idowu, lead pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, has sparked widespread conversation on social media with a bold message advising singles to avoid romantic relationships while unemployed.
In a sermon that trended on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Pastor Idowu cautioned that financial hardship can cloud judgment, leading individuals to settle for partners they would not ordinarily choose if they were financially stable.
“Don’t date when you are jobless,” he declared.
“There are some relationships that are attractive not because they are truly attractive, but because you have no money. When you have your own money, you’ll realize you had no business falling in love with some people. It wasn’t love; it was hunger.”
Desperation Leads to Poor Choices, Idowu Warns
The clergyman went on to warn against making major life decisions under financial pressure, explaining that desperation breeds low standards and poor outcomes.
“Never negotiate on a hungry stomach — you will get a bad deal,” he said.
“Crumbs mentality — when you are poor, small things satisfy you easily. One of the signs of crumbs mentality is settling for less too easily.”
Think Beyond Your Current Reality
Encouraging his congregation to think beyond survival and embrace abundance, Pastor Idowu urged people not to equate financial escape with success.
“Shift in your thinking. You need to think in abundance,” he said.
“I hear people say things like, ‘If I can just travel to America.’ How can traveling to America be your ultimate goal?”
Social Media Reacts
The sermon quickly ignited debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the intersection of love, money, self-worth, and ambition. While some applauded the pastor for speaking hard truths, others argued that love and support during tough times can still foster meaningful relationships.
