What Does Money Do For You?

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him (Matthew 26:14-16).

Judas loved money more than Jesus. At least, that’s what my five-year-old told me when I asked him about Judas. Maybe Judas was disappointed, disillusioned, or dejected. Whatever Judas loved more than Jesus, it’s clear that something was more beloved. 

Whatever the motive, money pointed at the heart’s disease–something was wrong with Judas; the man had issues. Money was not the issue. Honestly, I doubt it was even the motivator. Really, money just revealed the issue with which Judas wrestled. 

And that’s how it is with us. When we want more, give more, save more, etc., we can ask ourselves a question: “What am I really seeking?” Security? Prestige? Confidence? Approval?

Judas sought a motivator, a catalyst, to compel him to betray Jesus, a place to lay the blame. Perhaps he could reason within himself, “They paid me off!” 

What does money do for you? What does it make possible for you? What does it provide an opportunity for you to do?