Was Judas Jesus’ Treasurer? If So, What Does that Reveal?

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Yes, Judas was the appointed treasurer in our LORD’s earthly ministry. And so what does that tell us?

Jesus and the apostles did receive love offerings. Jesus taught His people, us, to “give” and so why would He turn away love offerings which He was going to use to give eternal treasure to those who gave – laying it up in Heaven for them, the ultimate eternal dividends? (Matthew 6:19-21) Why would Christ and His holy apostles want to rob His people from laying up eternal treasure? After all, that’s exactly what they taught us to do. Jesus would not have had a treasurer if there was no money to handle.

Have you ever heard that one? Let’s examine it against Holy Scripture, shall we?

From time to time we see folk who do ministry touting, virtue signaling that they “don’t take donations” as if allowing the body of Christ to obey Jesus by laying up treasure in Heaven is a bad thing (Matthew 6:19-21). SMH at this ridiculousness. THINK: If allowing people to give to a ministry of Christ is a sin or is wrong, that would make Jesus Christ a sinner – because the Son of God had a treasurer who handled the love offerings that were given to Christ’s ministry. Anyone ever heard of Judas? Hint: If Jesus had a treasurer, that meant there was money to handle (John 12:6; 13:29).

God’s Word tell us that Judas “had the bag.” The term “had the bag” in John 12:6 and 13:29 simply means he, Judas, handled the money.

The fact that Jesus and His holy apostles had a treasurer means they received offerings.

Seems that those self-righteous ministers who don’t believe God’s people should be giving to God’s work don’t truly believe they themselves are doing God’s work. Think about that. If they genuinely believed they were doing God’s work, if they were crucified with Christ and therefore separated unto the LORD and not making their work their identity, why would they be so uneasy about people funding GOD’s work? Perhaps they see their work as THEIRS – THEIR work and not God’s. Selah.

There is a big difference between those in ministry who are in it for the money (2 Peter 2:1-3) and those who simply and humbly receive the money given by God’s people to do HIS work. Ultimately, the work of God is God’s work, not man’s. The LORD simply uses the men He calls out and prepares as instruments in His work (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5; 3:6-9; 9:1-14, etc.).

Isn’t it interesting that Judas was a thief, the betrayer of the Son of God, and as such He misdirected, misappropriated those funds? So, Judas took from our LORD’s Gospel work. Seems to me that those attempting to hinder God’s people from giving to His work as he commanded them to do, are stealing from them and from Christ and cheating them out of blessings God intends to give them.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Clearly, to hinder someone from giving to Jesus’ work is to deprive them of the associated divine blessings.

Flash Point: God has no will, desire, directive, or command for His people that does not come with a divine blessing attached to it! (Psalms 68:19; 103:2; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.) How is God going to release that blessing to His people if there’s no ability to meet that condition? If there’s no way for them to fulfill it?

Some will even take Matthew 10:8 our of context. They will declare “Freely ye have received, freely give.” So, in this they are saying that we only give. We don’t receive but we only give. But if we haven’t received, if we don’t possess something, how can we give it out? Please tell us which comes first in this verse (Matthew 10:8 above) – receiving or giving? Receiving. One has to receive in order to “have to give”, right? Right (Ephesians 4:28).

“This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare (carried) what was put therein.” John 12:6

Also, remember that “Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury”… So if having a place people could give was a sin, was wrong, WHY did Jesus not tell us so right here? After all, the unchanging Son of God is in the place where the people of God gather and He’s specifically sitting and watching how people gave. If allowing people to give to GOD’s work, not man’s, is wrong, is a sin, then Jesus Christ was participating in sin by not stopping it. Read Mark 12:41-44.

Where does Jesus sit in our midst?

What does Jesus watch for?

Jesus is watching how we are stewarding His resources. He watches what percentage we give to His work and ouT of which heart (Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

The proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works and giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us for us, relinquishing the things of this world and putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ – for saints to be built up and the lost to hear the Word of God! (Matthew 6:19-21)

The LORD incentivizes His people to sow bountifully and yet it must be done out of the right heart. The LORD loves it when we give hilariously – worshipfully with exuberant thanksgiving and joy as He gives into our hands.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

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“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21

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A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

A Workman Approved by God

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

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“A Faithful Man shall Abound with Blessings” [podcast]

Do you desire to abound in the blessings of God?

Jesus our LORD taught that as we are faithful with what the LORD has already given us, then, and only then, will He multiply it.

ASK YOURSELF: Are you faithful to abide, to obey Him by obeying His Word? If so, Jesus and the Father are dwelling richly with you and will multiply you according to your proper, wise, faithful stewardship of what is already in your possession – which is from Him. See John 14:21-23.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

God is not going to add to or multiply His supply and blessings to anyone who is sitting around, doing the church attendance thing, and not doing His biblically stated will – of loving, tending to, giving to, serving, and blessing others (Matthew 22:37-39). Every true disciple is a doer of the WORD (James 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.). A true disciple is not known merely by being a church attender, which any old dead fish counterfeit can be. No, the true servant of Christ is known by his supreme love for, and faithful obedience to Christ his King, his “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).

“For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

Every good gift and blessing is from God (James 1:17). We take from what He’s given us and we share it with others – whether that be supply, or spiritual blessings in Christ, or material blessings.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ⁹(as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. ¹⁰Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) ¹¹being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

ARE GOD’S BLESSINGS CONDITIONAL? Yes they are. Here’s but one example of how God’s people forfeited His blessings due to living life on their own terms instead of complying with His.

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Jeremiah 5:25

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents:
Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Prayer: Holy Father, I come to You in the name of my LORD Jesus. Please make my heart to long for more of You, to love and worship You as my supreme God, Supplier, and Provider. Please unite my heart to truly fear Thy holy Name and to be quickened by Your Word and Holy Spirit unto obedience. Please multiply Your grace to my life as You are working in me and Your body both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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