John 12:4-6 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Luke 22:3-6 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
Matthew 20:3-5 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Judas followed Jesus for three years. He heard His message and saw it put into practice. Love God and people more than yourself. Help the needy even to the point of sacrifice. Had he chosen to believe in Jesus as the Son of God he would have found salvation from his own corruption, but he chose to remain in his sin and that sin eventually lead to him causing great destruction.
Jesus loved people and always acted for their good. He never approved of evil and He daily showed the love of God by example. Jesus sacrificed for the good of others because he cared for them. He wanted to see them living abundant lives. He had compassion for their suffering and always labored to teach them the truth.
Judas was consumed by a love for money. This love drove his actions and kept him from truly accepting the truth. Jesus was the cure for his sickness but instead of being honest about his own condition, he chose to keep it hidden. Judas had opportunity to put his faith in the Son of God and believe his message but he chose to remain in his sin. He was consumed and distracted by a desire for something eternally insignificant. In the end he got what he wanted but it was too late. He had sacrificed good for his own pleasure only to realize that it was empty.
Judas walked with Jesus throughout his ministry but never had faith. He never truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God even when seeing the irrefutable evidence of His miracles. When he finally regrets his decision, he still doesn't admit that Jesus was the Son of God, only that He was innocent. Who knows what delusions he used to justify his actions but when humans want something, they have an amazing ability of shaping their reality to fit their goals. Judas was blind to what was evident and he chose what he wanted to believe.
The life of Judas is a warning for all of us. Going to church and being nominally Christian is not enough to be saved. We are not saved by believing that God exists and we are not saved by works. We are saved by the type of faith that leads to a new heart and that leads to true works. Jesus really is the creator of the universe and he really is the salvation of the world. His word can show us our true corruption but also show us the way to healing. He healed peoples blindness, lameness and disease but He also more importantly healed spiritual blindness, spiritual lameness and spiritual disease.
The world is the way it is because of the human heart. Everyday people make millions of decisions and these decisions culminate in the state of the world. Sin causes suffering and destruction and Jesus is cure for the sin of the world.
Helping people needs to be more important than making money. Whether we are poor or rich, the love of money is something we all need to be on guard against. How this actually gets played out in our lives will vary but the important parts are hidden away in our hearts. I find that prayer helps set my heart in the right direction. Praying for peoples good helps me see their importance more clearly. Praying for my enemies is even more powerful in freeing me from hatred.
In terms of business, there are many opportunities to make money, but a christian needs to be wary of the costs to others. I like to see businesses that arise out of a need and use honest marketing to send their message. If you have to use dishonest marketing tactics to get customers then maybe your business isn't providing a benefit to society. Maybe it's just providing a benefit to you. I see many people who decide that they want to make money on the internet and all morals get tossed out the window. They resort to any and every tactic available to get known. Helping people is a mindset and if it is in your heart then it will play itself out in every aspect of your life.
If love is far from you then time with Jesus is the cure. Admitting your own failings honestly before God and asking for help is important. Reading God's words, seeing His love for the people you look down on, and praying for them goes along way.
I see many movies that preach a message of revenge but Jesus said to pray for your enemy. When people belittle me or try to hurt me I get angry. But honest prayer for their good helps melt away the dark feelings and gives me peace. Jesus is lord and has truly saved me from a life of misery and destruction. I am far from a life of love but Jesus has helped me set it as a goal in my life and he is helping me work towards it.