Often misquoted, the Bible warns that “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.” (1 Timothy 6:10, NKJV).

It’s not that money is a necessary evil or an evil at all. It is a convenience of the civilized world that allows us to obtain goods and services from others without having to have a particular good or service that they need in order to trade with them. Evil comes in is when we make money an object of our affection.

Consider Judas Iscariot. As the treasurer for Jesus’ traveling ministry group, the Scriptures tell us that “he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12:6, NKJV) Obviously he had a thing for money.

What is more commonly known about Judas Iscariot is that he betrayed the Lord Jesus, delivering him into the custody of the religious leaders. We may speculate that Judas was motivated by disappointment – because Jesus didn’t turn out to be the sort of Messiah that Judas expected. As I see it, the Bible indicates only one clear reason for the betrayal: “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:14,15, NKJV).

Judas’ heart wasn’t set on getting rid of Jesus – in fact – his remorse over the betrayal led him to suicide. Judas’ heart was set on money and getting more of it. It is not a sin to have money; however, we need to be careful that we don’t love it. That inordinate affection will lead us into serious trouble.