The desire for money is as ancient as humanity itself. We labor for it, make sacrifices for it, compromise our values for it—and at times even manipulate, steal, or wage war to obtain it. But Scripture doesn’t merely attribute this love of money to the world; it warns that such desire can infiltrate the people of God as well.
In both ancient and modern times, we’ve witnessed prophets, judges, priests, and leaders—institutions once devoted to righteousness—exchange their calling for personal gain. The pattern continues today: preachers turning the gospel into a commodity, prophets offering “words” in exchange for donations, and churches adopting the world’s values to attract attention or wealth. Yet none of this is new.
Micah 3 describes leaders who “judge for a bribe, priests who teach for a price, and prophets who tell fortunes for money”—all while claiming God is with them. Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money.” Paul echoed this in 1 Timothy 6:9–10:
“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare… For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
This isn’t just a warning for the world. It’s a warning for the Church.
There’s a widely shared testimony from a pastor in Africa who reportedly died and saw both heaven and hell. According to his account, he was shown a vision of people who were condemned—not merely for immorality—but for greed, unforgiveness, and commercializing the gospel. One man cried out, “I shouldn’t have taken the money,” again and again. Whether you believe the testimony or not, it echoes a scriptural principle: those who exploit God’s word for gain put their souls in jeopardy (2 Peter 2:1–3).
We must also reflect on the testimony’s second message: unforgiveness. In Matthew 6:15, Jesus clearly said, “If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” No matter how “anointed” someone may appear, if they harbor unforgiveness, they are in danger.
This should cause us to examine ourselves closely. Have we compromised truth for financial or personal gain? Have we ignored God’s warnings and clung to our own ambitions? Have we embraced a gospel of comfort while rejecting one of holiness and sacrifice?
Paul warned the elders of Ephesus that false teachers would rise even from among their own number (Acts 20:30). Peter warned that many would follow destructive heresies and exploit others with false words (2 Peter 2:1–3). And Jesus warned the Church of Laodicea, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
In Matthew 13:22, Jesus described those whose faith is choked out by “the deceitfulness of wealth.” It’s a gradual fall, and often unnoticed—until the end.
The Lord calls us to shepherd with humility, not for profit (1 Peter 5:2–3). The goal is not worldly success but eternal fruit.
Let us heed the Scriptures:
Micah 3 – Condemnation of corrupt spiritual leaders, Matthew 6:24 – You cannot serve God and money, 1 Timothy 6:9–10 – The love of money leads to ruin, Matthew 21:12–13 – Jesus drives out those who commercialized the temple, Revelation 3:14–22 – The self-deceived, wealthy church rebuked, Matthew 13:22 – Wealth choking the word, 1 Peter 5:2–3 – Shepherd willingly, not greedily, and Hosea 4:6 – God’s people perish for lack of knowledge
Let us repent where needed and align our hearts with Christ. Wealth is not sinful, but idolatry is. Success is not evil, but spiritual pride is. The gospel is not for sale. Our reward is not in what we gain here—but in who we become in Christ.
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