Matthew 27:1-14 Mo Money Mo Problems

These are truths that we know about Judas from the Bible:

1. Judas was called and given power (Had a great start)

• Mark 3:13-15 READ Heal the sick raise the dead
• Judas was there! He was called and empowered for ministry! Numbered with the 12
• Mark makes sure in the record everyone knows who Judas was 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. He was the Betrayer, but he still did ministry with the 12
• This Judas, upon his calling was empowered by Jesus to go and do ministry

2. Judas heard the direct preaching of Jesus and disregarded it

• Matthew 6:24 says– No one can serve two masters; You cannot serve God and mammon. 
• Luke 12:15 says Take heed and beware of covetousness, 
• Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
• Matthew 19:24 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 
• But Judas either wasn’t listening, disregarded it, missed service that day, or was defiant
• He served Money, he was filled with covetousness, his treasure was in silver, he may have gone to Hell. We can say- It’s possible to hear the truth and not end well in spite of great preaching. 

3. Judas didn’t have the right heart about Money before the betrayal

• John 12:4 –6 READ
• John records that he 1. He had a wrong heart condition about money 2. Didn’t care about he poor 3. Was a thief 4. Was in charge of the Money box 5. Oh yea, and he’s also a thief
• Long before the incident where he hung himself, his heart was already trending wrong

4. Judas succumbed to Satan and made a plan

• Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
• Mark 14:11 So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
• Luke 6:16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
• The scripture shows he had a plan, he BECAME a traitor. It wasn’t an impulse. PLAN

5. Judas’s was lost

• John 17:12 says- Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (Jesus praying specifically about disciples
• There was a time in Judas life that he was in a good place. He was called by Jesus to be one of the original twelve. Walked, ministered, listened, served, right alongside with JESUS
• He apparently was the one who was in charge of the money that they used for ministry but eventually the love of the money got the best of him. His love for money ruined him. 
• Did Judas Go to heaven? I don’t know. I know he gave the money back and hung himself and that Jesus said he was lost in the book of John. I know money can do crazy things to people
• The main character in the demise and betrayal of Judas, besides Judas himself is money

As always, what do we do with this scripture? How do we apply it to our own lives?

• Obviously- Don’t disregard the words of Jesus, have the right heart, Don’t succumb to Satan
• TRUTH-1 Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 
• That’s a powerful scripture about money. If money was a central theme to Judas’ demise, I think it well to search our own hearts this morning in regards to our love of money
• I think people think about money often. They talk about it, think about it, plan about it. Prices on things, what to get, how to get it, raises, toys, vacations, giving, Probably not a day goes by
• And if Judas can get caught up in it when he’s right there with Jesus, lets not pretend that we’re immune to the wiles of greed. Anyone of us could be tangled up in the love of money. 
• Money can ruin relationships, marriages, friendships, send people to Jail, affects voting etc. 

1. There’s a benefit of Money

• Anyone who says that you don’t need money to live is lying to you. Sure, barter can work, but if someone doesn’t want your apples, you need a place holder (currency, gold, etc) ForEVER
• Money can do great things. Buy supplies, build buildings, pay for stuff, ec 10:19 Money answers all things. You get excited about getting a raise, or more money for what it can DO (news route)
• 1 tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (Bible says you need money)
• That’s Bible! It says if you don’t have money, you can’t provide. You need it! We all do!
• And its God who does it for us! Whether its Grain or Greenbacks- It’s the Lord that provides! 
• Dt 8:18  you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth
• The bible says that It’s the Lord that Does it in the person- that you can actually Enjoy it
• Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
• Ecclesiastes 5:19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
• When you tithe, give and sacrifice, the Bible promises that your wealth will be protected. 
• Mal 3:11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 
• The Bible has great things to say about wealth- 
• Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. 1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages. Psalm 49:16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; 
• We have to admit- Money isn’t bad. We bought this building, your house, car, education etc

Even Jesus used money for ministry- its how they got it done. BUT HERE’S THE PROBLEM

2. It’s the root of all kinds of Evil

• The record of Judas and the challenge from 1 Tim 6 is money can be the root of all kinds of evil
• Modern day- Robbery, thievery, kidnapping, adultery, fraud, cheating, murder, lying ROOT
• All of those can be connected to someone’s love of money- It can lead them to do bad things
• That’s what happened in Judas life. The root of his evil was money. He cared very little for how his greed affected those around him and for a measly 4 months wages, sent Jesus to the cross 
• If you were honest in your own life- what sins are connected to love of money (JUDAS)
• Maybe not murder, but are you killing your marriage? Kids? Are you willing to lie and cheat to get ahead at work to get promoted? There’s always a Judas in the making 
•  the love of money thing- it can be a root cause of much evil in your life- It can destroy you
• Envy, greed, covetousness, all love of money. In the top 10. Keep you out of heaven. 

HERE’S A HARD TRUTH

3. Money can pull you from Faith

• That’s what 1 Tim 6 says “for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness”
• Not everyone who has money is going to Hell. Some have though. Some. It’s possible. 
• And like any other powerful thing like electricity, fire, gas, car, gun etc. You must be careful. 
• Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (What happened to Judas? He left walking with Jesus for 30 silver pieces) 
• Jesus cautions us that a heart divided is a heart bent on destruction. Money makes a horrible master but a great servant. You tell it what to do, it doesn’t tell you. 
• At the first sign of greed, covetousness, etc, you have to let it know who is boss. 
• When work or desire for money trumps the things of God, you need to pull back. There’s a point of provision, but there’s also a point of ‘when is enough enough’? 
• Ma 6:33 but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  ALL THINGS will be added. WORK HARD but I know a few millionaires where it still isn’t enough. One guy- Marriage in shambles, very rich, go and work on your family!
• Luke 12:15  ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'” – 
• Luke 18:24 Jesus said- ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
• It’s not impossible- Its just hard because a heart divided will not make it to heaven
• And you can say whatever you want and make what ever justifications you want based on market conditions, retirement etc. But if your spiritual life is slipping but your ledger is getting traction, its probably time to check your heart. Look for the root of Judas in your heart. 
• Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” 
• Matthew 6:19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” – 

4. Money can pierce you with sorrow

• I’ve met rich sad people and happy poor people. I’ve met happy rich people and sad poor people. The amount isn’t the issue, it’s the heart condition. (Judas killed himself over it)
• I’ve seen the well taken care of unsatisfied and clamoring for more at any expense. Not even able to to enjoy what they have because they want more, or hate that someone else has more
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” – 
• Love of money can ruin you. Emotionally, physically, spiritually. What’s really hard is how unsatisfying it is, because it has was never meant to satisfy at all. 
• Only the things of God can satisfy. Nothing else. People work so hard for wealth and then are saddened when they find out it doesn’t fix spiritual problems, marriages, make kids obedient, give you friends, keep you warm and night, give you purpose
• Quite the opposite, often it scares you to have more, fear of loss, worry about sustaining
• Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
• This is why when you go and spend time with people that have nothing, they usually are pretty happy. They’ve learned to not desire much or need much to be happy. They just live. 
• So 1 Tim in 6:10 says what is says but then says this- (46% live on 165 a mo. U are RICH)
• 1 Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 
• The answer is to Trust in GOD not in Riches. God owns it all- Trust in HIM and him alone
• Pro 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 
• Either you believe that God is watching, or you don’t. And sometimes people think that just because someone has wealth that they are blessed of God. 
• Not always the case. Sometimes- But you can force things. You can make it happen. But those people can’t buy their way out of sin. They will be dealt with. They will not go unpunished. 
• Proverbs 23:4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!
• So check your heart. Watch your mouth. Be honest with your desires. 

GREATEST WAY TO BREAK IT

5. Be generous with your money

• I once heard a preacher say, whatever number the Lord Gives you to give, you usually half it, so I double it to give the devil a black eye. Not bad advice. Being generous breaks greed. 
• Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase.
• When you give Jesus your first fruits, it lets you, your heart and your checkbook know whos boss
• Real Estate transaction- Lender wanted to know what these 3 monthly payments are- FOR JC
• 2 Co 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 
• God LOVES a cheerful giver. He appreciates a heart that is GLAD to give. It breaks greeed
• This is why he says- Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
• This is a dangerous truth that I think you can spiritually handle- People who are the most generous, have their hearts right, seem to not be able to outrun financial blessings of God. 
• Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.” – 
• You don’t know everyone heart, but I could name you five people right now who I know that are beyond generous and they can’t seem to get money out of their hand fast enough. 
• I also know people that are the most tight fisted miser that cant seem to ever get ahead, which isn’t for lack of trying or skill, it just seems the Lord frustrates their hand (you are saved) 
• Christians are held to a different standard. Once you walk that dusty road to the cross, its all laid down. “Unless you are willing to forsake all you are not worthy to be my disciple” 
• Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
• Don’t be a Judas. Don’t throw it all away for money. Seek first the kingdom of God. 

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