Nose of The Church Thief !
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From time to time, we read something in the Bible that shocks us even though we might have read it several times in the past. Often, the shock comes from the way another translation puts it. John 12:1-6 shocked me like that this morning when I read it from the New Living Translation.
This is what it says:
Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,
“That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
(John 12:1-6 NLT)
It is true that Jesus came for humans, lived like humans, faced all the challenges we face and was tested in every way like us. This is how Hebrews 2:16-18 put it:
“We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God…since he himself has gone through suffering and testing…”
But Jesus also had very irrefutable divine attributes which attracted His disciples to Him. So the brazen statement in verse 6 of John 12, which says:
“Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.“
kept me asking,
“Did Judas Iscariot join Jesus disciples purposely to steal from them? Or did he become a thief after he was exposed to the resources of the disciples?”
Whatever the answer, the end of Judas Iscariot, as recorded in Acts 1:18, was not pleasant.
Unfortunately, many people are doing the same thing Judas Iscariot did, today. To mitigate this, some churches have resorted to designing offering bowls with small mouths that no one’s hands can enter, and others have installed CCTV cameras in their counting rooms!
But the thieves in the ranks of Judas Iscariot are the ones that are supposed to protect the church funds, and use them judiciously and efficiently for the furtherance of the kingdom; but resort to all kinds of procurement and other manipulations for personal benefit, whether in cash or in kind!
In verse 3 of the text we just read, we are told,
“The house was filled with the fragrance.“
It was this fragrance that made Judas Iscariot know it was an expensive perfume – his sense of smell was compromised! What followed was the thought of stealing! Sometimes, our sense of smell is the first to be compromised, and the rest follow!
The fragrance and aroma of offerings to God could be strong and tempting; and just as Judas Iscariot, we could give explanations; and even justify alternatives to how it should be spent, to men.
But the question you should be asking is:
“What is God seeing?”
In the final analysis, what God sees is what matters.
So, when touching God’s money, don’t worry about what man sees. Rather worry about what God sees.
MEMORY VERSE
“The house was filled with the fragrance.”
(John 12:3)
QUESTIONS
What fragrance is luring and tempting you?
Do you know that it can compromise your whole body?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me
to have desires that are
pure, and pleasing
to You; and honour
You.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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