In today’s passage, Jesus shifts His focus from the disciples to the Pharisees. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of Israel, appeared outwardly righteous but were inwardly marked by hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matt. 23:28). John MacArthur issues a sober warning about those who outwardly seem devoted to God but inwardly oppose Him: “It is a paradoxical truth that those who are the most dangerous enemies of God are not the ones who openly oppose Him, but rather those who outwardly appear the most devoted to Him… Apostate Judaism and false Christianity, along with all their deceiving teachers, are haters of divine truth and of God.” This is not only a warning about false religion but also a caution to Christians, who can fall into the same temptations—particularly the lure of wealth—which gives rise to hypocrisy. Jesus exposes two of the worst sins produced by false religion, both prominently displayed by the Pharisees.

The first great sin is the Pharisees’ love of money and love of self (v. 14; 2 Tim. 3:2). Jesus had just taught, “No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and wealth” (v. 13). The Pharisees were “lovers of money.” False religion elevates the self to the place of God, and money becomes the means of glorifying the self before others. Since the fall, false religion has been unable to address the brokenness of the human heart. In contrast, true faith demands self-denial, crucifying the flesh, and following Christ (Matt. 16:23). The dividing line is faith.

The Pharisees boasted about their religiosity and wealth, believing that material prosperity proved God’s favor. Scripture teaches the opposite: true blessing comes from saving faith, which produces a transformed life and peace with God. Wealth has no connection to genuine divine blessing.

Loving money is among the gravest sins because it becomes an idol that competes with God for the heart. It often leads to moral corruption—greed, deceit, injustice—and hardens the soul against righteousness. Money itself is not sinful, but the love of it leads to spiritual blindness and lawlessness. Judas Iscariot is a vivid example: though he heard Jesus’ teaching daily for years, his love for money prevented true repentance and faith. Scripture warns soberly, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10).

What are some signs that we love money?
– When money, rather than God, determines our decisions.
– Anxiety or fear when finances are threatened; loss of peace when income fluctuates.
– Difficulty giving generously or sacrificially; resentment toward those who have more.
– Finding identity or pride in financial success.
– Compromising integrity for financial gain.
– Constant preoccupation with money, leaving little room for God.
– Treating people differently based on wealth.
– Neglecting spiritual growth because of busyness or worldly concerns.

When money displaces God in the heart, it becomes one of the greatest spiritual dangers, blocking God’s work within us. Warren Wiersbe writes, “They professed to trust God, but they measured life by wealth and possessions… Far too many professed Christians today are making the same mistake. With their lips they honor the Lord, but with their wealth they live like the world.”

Money is merely a tool—given to meet our needs and to advance God’s kingdom. Living this way acknowledges Christ’s kingship and keeps us under His rule rather than living apart from it. We must cultivate contentment: “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment… If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:6–8).

A Christian’s life is also marked by serving God and storing up treasures in heaven. Our hope is fixed on our eternal home, and we should regularly reflect on it. A believer rejects sordid gain and trusts in God’s provision. Because we are not orphans, our confidence must rest fully in our Father. Guarding our hearts against the love of money is essential for living a simple, God-centered life.

The second great sin is unbelief, expressed in rejecting Jesus Christ. The Pharisees listened to Jesus—not to believe but to accuse and destroy. After hearing His teachings on money, they scoffed at Him. This is the nature of unbelief: sinners refuse to come to Christ for life (John 5:40).

The Pharisees rejected Jesus for several reasons:
– They despised Him because He was a Galilean.
– They viewed His teachings as foolish and impractical.
– They felt threatened because He challenged their authority and placed Scripture above their oral traditions.
– He exposed their secret love of money.

Even today, unbelief does not stem from a lack of evidence but from a moral refusal to submit to Christ. People reject Him because their hearts are self-reliant and attached to other loves. Every unbeliever treasures something above God. Christians, too, must guard against the drift toward unbelief. Many believers subtly resist Christ’s commands, thinking they are too radical or meant only for a select few. We often assume Jesus’ warnings apply to others but not to ourselves. The love of money and the desire for earthly comfort can make us defensive and spiritually dull. Are we living primarily for this present life rather than for our eternal home?

Hear the Lord’s rebuke:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:15–17).

And His invitation:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).

Most people profess love for Jesus with their lips while their hearts cling to something else. In America, especially, the love of money often prevents Christ from being Lord over one’s life.

Unbelief is not mere ignorance; it is a deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ. We cannot place Him on the margins of our lives. He must dwell at the center. If He does not abide in our hearts, we must repent without delay. Tragically, so many Christians lose their spiritual effectiveness because of their idols. Let us stop pretending to love Christ, for He knows our hearts.