While I was finishing up a project the other day, the Holy Spirit started talking to me about the sin of Judas Iscariot. I wasn’t studying anything about him or even really interested in anything that he did, but the Holy Spirit started asking me questions about him from out of nowhere.
The first thing that He asked me was, “Do you know what Judas’s biggest problem was?” And I said, “Lord, isn’t he the one who betrayed you for the 30 pieces of silver?” And He said, “Yes, he was, for it was his love of money, more than the love of me, that was his biggest problem.”
Then the Holy Spirit said, “That same love of money has invaded much of the ministry in the world today, for there are many who are in the ministry, who have made money their goal in the place of their relationship with Me and that love of money has made them compromise their integrity in many ways.”
“But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS A ROOT OF ALL EVILS; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many [a]acute [mental] pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10
While there are many who think that money is an evil thing, that’s not actually the problem, it’s the LOVE OF MONEY that is the problem! Money can be an excellent tool that can drastically increase the reach of the ministry and the Kingdom of God when it’s in the right hands. However, when it takes control of your heart is when you find yourself in trouble.
Having money isn’t a problem; Money having you is the Problem! Judas loved money and virtually every comment that we ever see him make in scripture was about that god of mammon that he loved so much.
“Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, the one of His disciples who was about to betray Him, said, Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year’s wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)? Now he did not say this because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and having the bag (the money box, the purse of the Twelve), he took for himself what was put into it [pilfering the collections].” John 12:3-6
While money can be a great tool to expand the reach of the ministry that you have (and in many cases a necessary one), you cannot serve God and mammon!
If money, fame, and fortune are the reasons that you got into the ministry in the first place (as your motivation for doing it), then you’ve gotten into the ministry for the wrong reasons!
If you love Jesus Christ and your desire is to see His Kingdom come and His Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, then money should never have any real-estate in your heart. But if the love of money is lurking somewhere deep in there, eventually, it’ll come to the surface and attempt to destroy you, your family, your ministry, and your life!
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).” Matthew 6:24
I believe that the love of money has invaded much of the ministry of this generation. While so many Sons and Daughters of God are entering into the ministry in this generation, the temptation of fame, fortune, and building your own kingdom has never been greater or easier.
Building a ministry has never been easier because of the internet and the media abilities that are available, and with it, the need for titles and the jockeying for prominent positions within the Body of Christ has also become a stumbling block for many.
These things all have one thing in common: there is NO CROSS CARRYING IN ANY OF THEM! If we really are the Sons and Daughters of God and the true disciples of Jesus Christ, then self-denial and carrying your Cross are absolute necessities going forward!
“And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23
While this isn’t a glorious thing in our eyes (and definitely not a fun thing), it is an absolute must if we’re to steer clear of the fame, fortune, and mammon things that the enemy is going to try and present us with.
Whom do you love today? Would you lay everything in your life down for Jesus Christ, or would you be like the rich man that Jesus asked to give it all away and go away sad? (Matthew 19:22)
Having wealth and using it for the right reasons is totally fine; it’s when your wealth and fame take your heart away from the Lord Jesus Christ that you get into trouble.
Don’t let the sin of Judas overtake your life! Keep money only as a tool in your eyes and Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, for there’s more to this life than money!
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