Friday, November 4, 2022
“…Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Matthew 10:4 KJV).
After Satan and the Antichrist, he is probably the most despised Bible character. Meet Judas Iscariot!
Unbelieving Judas’ downfall was materialism or avarice. Once he let that dominate him, the rest of Satan’s will appealed to him. Even though the context is the ministry of the local church (Paul’s Pastoral Epistles—1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon), the following words of this the Dispensation of the Grace of God are advisable even for individual Christians.
First Timothy chapter 6: “…[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment [clothing] let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will [desire/wish to] be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows…. [17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [share]; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
How many preachers and teachers (or even church members) these last 2,000 years would be better off today had they heeded the above counsel, instead of mismanaging God’s money in their local assemblies because of their insatiable appetite for accumulating material wealth? Saints, it is absolutely not a sin to be rich monetarily, but if we are striving for this end instead of aiming to be “rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:18), then we resemble that most despised man from Kerioth. Our name will be just as distasteful in others’ mouths as his is!
333 Words of Grace 