Exploiting the Church

I was surprised when I read that Judas Iscariot was given the same abilities as the rest of the disciples. “He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matt 10:1 NIV). As keeper of the moneybag Judas was known to help himself to the money and he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Lacking any scruples where money is concerned, I have to wonder if it crossed his mind to ask people to pay him for driving out evil spirits, and healing disease and sickness. People today who exploit the church for financial gain would do well to heed the same warning Peter gave to Simon the Sorcerer, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:20-23 NIV).