Exploiting the Church

  Jesus called the 12 and designated them apostles so that he could send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, had the same power and ability as the other 11, yet he sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. I doubt that it was the money Judas wanted because as keeper of the money bag, he was already helping himself to the purse. Judas could have generated additional income on the side by charging people to drive out demons. From the early church up until today there are leaders in our midst who exploit the church for personal gain. Simon the Sorcerer was himself a baptized believer, “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “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 8:18-23 NIV).