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Matthew 26: 14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.......
Judas, a man who had walked with Jesus in devotion and mission, was lead astray by the love of money and greed. Jesus at one time was valuable enough to him that he left all to follow him. Later thirty pieces of silver was more valuable than Jesus, so he left him for the silver.
What an amazing and dark transition of his heart. He probably didn't even see it coming. We can see it coming throughout the gospel story as hints are placed to the true condition of his heart.
To me this story serves as a warning to guard against greed and riches as we follow Jesus in life and mission. We're warned in scripture to look out for this kind of heart that would trade in Jesus and our mission for riches.
Matthew 13:
22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful
1 Timothy 6
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:5 shows that we can even be so blind we'll go after money in the midst of service to God!
5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain
Guard your hearts fellow believers. Weigh every motive and intention. God is our God, money isn't! Our mission is more important than money.
You can't love both God and money. You'll love one or the other.
Watch your motives. Guard your heart. Make sure your mission for God flows from pure motives. No one should be so proud as to think they can't become like Judas and exchange their Jesus for a trifling sack of silver.
Judas, a man who had walked with Jesus in devotion and mission, was lead astray by the love of money and greed. Jesus at one time was valuable enough to him that he left all to follow him. Later thirty pieces of silver was more valuable than Jesus, so he left him for the silver.
What an amazing and dark transition of his heart. He probably didn't even see it coming. We can see it coming throughout the gospel story as hints are placed to the true condition of his heart.
To me this story serves as a warning to guard against greed and riches as we follow Jesus in life and mission. We're warned in scripture to look out for this kind of heart that would trade in Jesus and our mission for riches.
Matthew 13:
22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful
1 Timothy 6
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:5 shows that we can even be so blind we'll go after money in the midst of service to God!
5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain
Guard your hearts fellow believers. Weigh every motive and intention. God is our God, money isn't! Our mission is more important than money.
You can't love both God and money. You'll love one or the other.
Watch your motives. Guard your heart. Make sure your mission for God flows from pure motives. No one should be so proud as to think they can't become like Judas and exchange their Jesus for a trifling sack of silver.