What other scriptures warn against hypocrisy and greed like in John 12:5? John 12:5 in Context “ ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ ” Judas masks greed with pious-sounding concern. Scripture consistently unmasks such hypocrisy and warns against love of money. Old Testament Echoes • Proverbs 11:4 — “Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” • Proverbs 28:6 — “Better the poor man whose walk is blameless than the rich man whose ways are perverse.” • Isaiah 1:16-17 — “Remove the evil of your deeds… Learn to do right; seek justice; correct the oppressor.” • Amos 5:11-12 — The prophet denounces those who “trample on the poor” while piling up lavish houses. • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Jesus Confronts Hypocrisy • Matthew 6:1-4 — “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be seen by them.” • Matthew 23:27-28 — “On the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” • Luke 11:39-41 — “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup… but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” • Luke 12:15 — “Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” • Luke 16:13-15 — “You cannot serve both God and money… God knows your hearts.” • Acts 5:1-5 — Ananias and Sapphira pretend generosity, lie to the Spirit, and fall under judgment. Epistles Reinforce the Warning • Romans 12:9 — “Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.” • 1 Corinthians 5:11 — “Do not even eat with anyone… who is greedy.” • 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “God loves a cheerful giver,” not a reluctant or self-promoting one. • Ephesians 5:3 — “Among you there must not be… any greed, because these are improper for saints.” • Colossians 3:5 — “Put to death… greed, which is idolatry.” • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 — “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” • Hebrews 13:5 — “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” • James 5:1-6 — A blistering rebuke to the wealthy who exploit laborers and hoard riches. • 1 Peter 5:2 — Shepherds are to serve “not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” Key Take-Aways • God sees through pious words that mask selfish motives. • Greed is treated as idolatry because it replaces trust in God with trust in wealth. • Hypocrisy invites divine judgment; authentic generosity flows from a transformed heart. • Scripture calls believers to give freely, act justly, and walk humbly—antidotes to the spirit behind Judas’s question in John 12:5. |
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