Because of the love of money, many have fallen into sin and destruction, including people of great influence and even those within the families who are known for their spiritual heritage. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). This warning is exemplified in real-life stories from both the Old and New Testaments. A soldier in Israel’s army, the sons of a revered prophet, a wealthy tax collector, a trusted disciple of Jesus, and a Roman governor all fell into serious error because of their desire for wealth.
1. Achan was guilty of the love of money
Before the Israeli army took Jericho, Joshua told them, “17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted …….19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury (Joshua 7:17-19).”After the Lord had made the walls of Jericho collapse, the Israeli army rushed in and took it, killing every life in it except Rahab and her family. Then the army went around collecting all the silver, the gold, and the articles of bronze and iron from the city. Each person brought what he found. They gathered everything together and gave it to the priests to be put into the treasury of the Lord’s house. Then they burned the whole city and everything in it.
However, Achan, from the tribe of Judah, wanted to play smart. He refused to turn in the precious items he collected from Jericho. According to his confession, he found a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, and he took them for himself. Meanwhile, he knew he was not supposed to take anything for himself. Because of what he did, God punished Israel and made them lose against Ai in their first encounter. When his sin was discovered, Achan himself, his family, and his possessions were stoned to death and burnt in the Valley of Achor. Achan’s greed for money was responsible for his ungodly action. Bible Reference Joshua 7:1-26
2. The sons of Samuel, Joel and Abiah, loved money
Samuel – a good boy who grew up to be a great prophet before the Lord. Prophet Samuel is counted among the judges who ruled Israel, and his life was a worthy example for all to emulate. However, his sons, Joel and Abiah, were nothing like him. When Samuel was old, he appointed his two sons to be judges over Israel in Beer-sheba. But his sons proved to be corrupt; they forsook the good ways of their father, and took bribes, and did not decide cases honestly. These are obvious signs of the love of money; hence, Joel and Abiah were lovers of money. (1 Samuel 8:1-3).
3. Zacchaeus was guilty of the love of money
When Jesus was passing through the city of Jericho, He got to a place where there was a sycamore tree, and upon looking up, saw a certain man called Zacchaeus in the tree. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a rich man. Jesus said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today (Luke 19:5).” So he came down fast and welcomed Jesus into his house with joy.
In his house, Zacchaeus stood up and said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold (Luke 19:8).” This confession of Zacchaeus briefs us on his story and justifies why others called him a sinner. Zacchaeus, like Judas Iscariot, was guilty of the love of money. According to his confession, he had employed shady means to make money, despite being a chief tax collector and, most likely, well paid. (Luke 19:1-10)
4. Judas Iscariot loved money
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, fell into the temptation of loving money. Earlier, when he was appointed to become one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas did not have any malicious intention to betray Jesus for money; it was far from him to do that. However, the bad news is that Judas Iscariot, like any other person, had a weakness, which was greed – greed for money. Consequently, he became a lover of money. In those days, people contributed money to Jesus’ ministry. The contributions were put in a money box, which was entrusted to the care of Judas Iscariot. Being a lover of money, Iscariot began to steal money from the money box (John 12:4-6).
As it’s the nature of greed, Iscariot was not content with whatever money, be it big or small, that he was taking from the money box; he wanted more. But how would he get more? Influenced by Satan, he took a bold step to betray Jesus, his Master, to earn more money, thirty silver pieces (Matthew 26:15). The sin of greed for money in his life made Judas Iscariot guilty of these other sins; he was:
- A thief; he stole from the money box.
- A traitor; he gave up Jesus for money.
- A murderer; he betrayed Jesus to His death.
Judas Iscariot is guilty of all these sins because he was given to the love of money. These sins rendered him apostate: Iscariot, after the betrayal, never had the chance to meet Jesus again to ask for forgiveness, nor did he muster the courage to go back to join the disciples. Also, the devil, who manipulated him, did not give him the chance to repent; rather, he induced him to commit suicide.
5. Governor Felix was guilty of the love of money
Paul was arrested by the Jews in Jerusalem, who were determined to see him put to death. But Roman soldiers intervened and rescued him from their hands. Even after that, the Jews continued plotting to kill him. To protect Paul, the Roman commander in Jerusalem sent him under heavy guard to Caesarea and placed him in the custody of the Roman governor, Felix. Five days later, Paul stood trial before Governor Felix, facing accusations from the Jewish religious leaders.
After hearing the case, Felix found no offense in Paul deserving death or imprisonment. He should have released him right away, but he didn’t. Felix was a corrupt official who hoped Paul would offer him a bribe in exchange for his freedom. As the Bible puts it, “At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him” (Acts 24:26).
But Paul never offered him a bribe. And because Felix also wanted to please the Jews, he kept Paul in prison without giving him a fair verdict. Paul remained there until Felix was replaced by a new governor named Porcius Festus (Acts 24:1-27).
Conclusion
These five examples—Achan, Joel and Abiah, Zacchaeus, Judas Iscariot, and Governor Felix—demonstrate with great clarity the corruption of character, injustice, and terrible spiritual consequences of loving money. In every instance, the essence of greed for money lured the victim, giving way to sin. While some, like Zacchaeus, found redemption through repentance, others suffered tragedies, facing God’s judgment or terrible consequences in life. These accounts ought to stir us to examine our own hearts and priorities.