The Salvation Ministries founder recounts alleged incidents involving three drivers whose vehicle tyres reportedly burst, claiming they were not paying tithes and urging Christians to settle their tithes before Christmas spending.

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has warned Christians against spending money on Christmas clothes before paying their tithes, describing the practice as dangerous and linking it to what he believes are the consequences of failing to honour the biblical obligation.

The cleric made the remarks while recounting several incidents in which vehicles carrying him reportedly suffered tyre bursts. According to Ibiyeomie, the drivers involved were born-again Christians who had allegedly failed to pay their tithes.

He urged believers to prioritise their religious financial obligations during the festive season, warning that neglecting tithes could expose them and their families to problems.

In a statement that has drawn attention for its strong message, Ibiyeomie said his experiences had convinced him that the incidents were connected to the drivers' failure to pay tithes.

He explained that on one occasion in Ibadan, two tyres reportedly burst while he was travelling in a vehicle driven by a pastor's driver.

Ibiyeomie said he confronted the driver, asking whether he paid his tithe. According to the preacher, the driver remained silent, reinforcing his suspicion that the incident was connected to the alleged failure to tithe.

The pastor said he had experienced similar situations on other occasions, including a journey from Ekpoma with his wife in his Rolls-Royce, when two tyres reportedly burst.

He claimed that he subsequently asked for the driver's record to be checked and was told that the driver was not paying tithes.

Recounting another recent incident, Ibiyeomie said a vehicle suffered a similar problem while they were returning from a programme. He alleged that the driver had also failed to pay tithes and said he immediately asked for the car to be parked before moving into another vehicle.

The cleric stressed that Christians should not automatically attribute every misfortune to the devil, arguing that some problems could arise from what he considers a failure to fulfil spiritual obligations.

“Not everything, go to the devil,” he said, insisting that believers should examine their own conduct rather than blame supernatural forces for every difficulty they encounter.

Ibiyeomie warns against Christmas spending

As the Christmas season approaches, the preacher urged Christians to ensure they had paid their tithes before purchasing festive clothing and other items.

He warned that neglecting tithes while spending on celebrations could have serious consequences, extending his caution to the wellbeing of believers' children.

“Pay correct tithe, so that you don't be blaming the devil for what the devil is not responsible for,” he said.

Tithing, commonly understood in many Christian denominations as giving a portion of one's income to the church, remains a subject of differing interpretations among Christians. While some churches teach it as a continuing religious obligation, others hold different views about how biblical instructions on tithing should apply to believers today.

Ibiyeomie's account reflects his personal interpretation of the incidents he described. His claims about a connection between unpaid tithes and burst vehicle tyres were not independently established in the account.

The preacher's remarks have renewed attention to the relationship between religious giving, personal finances and festive-season spending, particularly as Christians prepare for Christmas celebrations.