The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Judas Iscariot was one of the most trusted of Jesus’ disciples. He was appointed the secretary treasurer of Jesus’ small group. Only an honest, trustworthy person would be given such a responsible position. There are those who argue that Judas never was saved and that he was a devil from the beginning, but this theory does not hold water when exposed to the Scriptures. They base their assumptions on the Scripture in John 6:70, where Jesus said, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" Always in judging these matters, all Scriptures pertaining to the subject must be used. You cannot formulate any doctrine on one individual verse of Scripture because the Bible says, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1) We read in John 13:17, "And after the sop Satan entered into him", "then Satan put it in Judas’ heart to betray Him." (Matthew 26:16)

If Judas was a devil, then Satan would not have to enter into him and would not have to put it in his mind, for if Judas really was a devil, he already (being a devil) would have had the thought in his mind. Also in Luke 22:3 the Scripture says, "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve."

What did Jesus mean when He said, "And one of you is a devil." (John 6:70) Let me ask you a question to answer the first one. What did Jesus mean when he said, "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come." (Matthew 11:14) Jesus speaking about John the Baptist, definitely called him Elias. Yet John the Baptist denied this when he said, "I am not he (Elias)" (John 1:21)

Was Jesus not telling the truth? Of course He was. It had been prophesied that one would come in the power and spirit of Elijah. (Luke 1:17) John the Baptist was not Elijah, but came in the same power and spirit as Elijah came, that power and spirit being the blessed Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:15)

Likewise, the other Scriptures I have mentioned previously, bearing me out, prove that Jesus was speaking about Judas being filled and motivated by the power and spirit of Satan. Any man to be elevated to the position of secretary treasurer surely must have been a most respected and honest man. Also, when Jesus told His disciples that one of them should betray Him they all asked, "Lord, is it I?" (Matthew 26:22), proving that Judas was certainly not in the least suspected over his associate disciples. Then, the Scripture also says, "Because he was a thief, and had the bag." (John 12:6) Does one become a thief immediately or does he fall into temptation and then begin by stealing a little, becoming entangled and taken captive by the sin of covetousness?

The Bible also says, "Judas by transgression fell." (Acts 1:25) He became ensnared when he began stealing, after listening to the tempter. Judas was one of the twelve disciples, (Acts 1:17); (Luke 22:3) but he fell into temptation and was overtaken. If he was never a Christian, but was a "devil" as some misinformed people believe, how could he fall? The devil certainly was a fallen angel, from the time of his revolt against God Almighty and his fall from Heaven, as God cast him out of His Holy presence. (Isaiah 14:9-17)

No, a thousand times NO, the devil certainly could not fall any lower than he had already fallen at that time. We realize that the devil was the Covering Cherub and Archangel, full of wisdom and beauty. We then know that because sin entered into his heart and his rebellion against God began he was cast out of Heaven. It was then the devil became evil, rotten, ungodly and filthy, a killer and a robber and all that is bad. (John 10: 10); (John 8:44) No, the devil could not fall any lower than he already had fallen. From these scriptures we note that Judas was a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ with power to work miracles in Christ’s Name - but the love of money was his downfall. He "fell" into sin and became a thief and eventually lost out with God, allowing Satan to enter into him. Judas’ final act of evil was to betray the Son of God into the hands of sinful men to be crucified.

Can you imagine a man who has lived with Jesus Christ for three and a half years falling for the temptation of covetousness. Judas witnessed for 3 1/2 years the life giving sermons of Jesus Christ. Judas personally witnessed the miracles of Jesus, as he watched Jesus heal the sick, cleanse lepers and raise the dead. Judas lived with Jesus Christ when he performed the miracle of the multiplied loaves and fishes. Judas witnessed Jesus actually walk on the water and calm the storm seas. But even more significant is the fact that Judas himself had been given power over unclean spirits and to heal the sick in Jesus’ name. Yes, Judas had actually preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Many people had repented by his preaching and turned to the Lord. Judas himself had cast out many devils and cured many sick people as he proclaimed deliverance to them in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Yet, after all of these events, Judas turned his back upon the Savior, betraying his Lord for a measly 30 pieces of silver. The love of money had taken a firm grip on his soul and he was overcome by the Spirit of Greed and "lust for money." Judas gambled with his soul and went to Hell.

You may say give me scripture and verse for the statements you are saying here. Well here are the truths on this matter. The Bible says concerning Judas Iscariot - "For he was numbered with us (Peter was speaking) and had obtained part of this ministry." (Acts 1:17) Peter speaking to the other 10 Apostles after Judas’ suicide said, "Judas was one of us" (one of the Lord’s chosen Apostles) and he had received from God the same ministry which the other disciples received - Judas was part of the ministry as well as the other disciples. "That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship for which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."