Money is a great ministry killer. Look at what happened to Israel’s spiritual leaders from top to bottom.

The heads of Jacob give judgment for a bribe;
its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money;
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“Is not the Lord in the midst of us? (Micah 3:11)

And what is so shocking — and relevant — is that they had not forsaken the talk of “leaning on the Lord.” They quoted Proverbs 3:5–6 (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.”) They talked it. They protested, “The Lord is in our midst.”

Yet they were working for money.

Brothers, build safeguards against this in your soul and in your systems.

Give judgment for the love of justice; teach for the love of truth; renounce divination for the love of the revealed Word.

It is the superior love of justice and truth and the Word that will sever the root of greed.

Treasure the reputation of your Savior’s infinite worth. Live to show it.