MEMORISE
But the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood (Matthew 27:6)..
READ:
Matthew 27:3-10
[3]. 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,
[4]. saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
[5]. Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
[6]. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”
[7]. And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
[8]. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
[9]. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
[10]. and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
EXPOSITION
Thank God for how He has begun to deal with us in how Judas chose to betray his Master the other day. Yesterday, we looked at how his supposed gain finished him. Today, we want to look at the money itself. Any implication for us today?
How did Judas see the money later? He initially saw it as something that would take care of some of his needs, but in the end, he saw it in the right light-money for the life of his Master. In the end, it was somehow too late. Not only Judas saw the money in a bad light. The chief priests did. When Judas returned it, they considered it *the price of blood.* Are we sure a lot of the money brought to our religious centres and services on Sundays and during the weeks isn't *"the price of blood?"* Of course, those priests knew the implications and were thus afraid to put such money into the treasury, i.e. God's house. Honestly, a lot of church leaders cannot claim that their hands aren't blood- stained. Why? They collect money from blood-mongers and other criminals causing helpless pains to grow their so-called empires.
If these priests should be so afraid to add such terrible money to God's, should church leaders today do less? Any church or church leader who collects such money, anywhere, refusing to warn such godless givers, would soon pay dearly for their stupidity. Learn to follow the example of Peter who rebuked Simon the sorcerer who thought money could buy even God's gift(s), *Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!* (Acts 8:20). Don't lose heaven because of money!
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 276
1. O Thou the Lord of heav'n
And on this earth below
I prostrate by Thy feet, O Lord,
Crying for Thy mercy.
2. Forgive my foolishness
All sins I've committed
Tell the mourning soul that he lives
By Thy begotten Son.
3. Great burdens are my faults
That is upon my heart, To Thee O Lord
For give me all my trespasses
With Thy bountiful love.
4. With Thy compassion face
Let my soul be at rest
And let me know of Thy burden
And be bless'd In Thy name.
5. With Thy compassions face
Let my soul be at rest
And let me know of thy burden
And be bless'd in thy name.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, don't let godless gains entice me any longer.
2. Lord, help me to be more discerning as touching the means of making money, so that I don't become a carrier of money that irks You.
3. Pray for CAC Babajide Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 16:44-20:17
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 TOPIC: THE BADNESS OF BLOOD MONEY){kind=link}