Don’t Love Money
Judas got complacent, he flirted with sin and this led him down a very bad road to eventually betray Jesus. It seems that Judas' biggest temptation was the love of money.
Judas goes to the chief priests and we read: "They were delighted and agreed to give him money." (Luke 22:5)
It seems to me, reading that, that Judas asked them for money. They agreed to give him some. He went there and said: Give me money, I give you Jesus!
For him, gaining money at the expense of his relationship with Jesus was worth it.
I believe that many people make the same mistake today: trading their closeness with Jesus for something else. Something they think will be better.
Money Itself Isn't the Problem
Please note: this does not mean it is a sin to have money. It does not mean it is a sin to be wise with what you have. It does not mean we shouldn't pursue success.
What it means is that the moment your relationship with Jesus comes second to getting some more money - You're on the wrong path.
People like to say that money is the root of all evil. Wrong. The Bible doesn't say that. It says this: "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." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Isn't that a picture of Judas right there? Eager for money, in love with money, he wandered from the faith. Wandered from Jesus. Caused himself many griefs.
South Africa’s Judas
Perhaps one of the biggest betrayals in South African history was when Hansie Cronje was caught match-fixing. He was our country's hero! A great leader. A deep Christian. Always seemed to have integrity.
But we couldn't see inside his heart - we couldn't see behind his closed hotel room doors - Where he would phone bookmakers and agree to underperform for big cash payouts. When he was caught he first denied it all, but then he came out and confessed.
He said that it was an 'unfortunate love for money' that made him do it.
South Africa's "Judas". Pulled astray by 'the love of money'.
Guarding Against Greed
Friends, it's tempting to take 30 pieces of silver, because man that would be a help to you and your family. It's tempting to make a deal where you gain, but God gets stamped out. It's tempting to run after the gain.
But please be careful. Our enemy catches many of us when he gets us obsessing over getting rich.
Save yourself the heartache of being a Judas! Be wise, be prudent, be generous. But be careful of the love of money. It got Judas and if you're not careful, it might cause your fall too.
Judas traded his relationship with Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, wandering from the faith in his eagerness for money. This is a danger for us too.