Judas Iscariot is undoubtedly the most notorious person when it comes to ill-gotten gains.

The 30 pieces of silver he got for betraying Jesus was something for which I’m sure he initially had big plans — especially after spending his last three years with practically nothing.

But Jesus didn’t get angry at Judas. Jesus handled the betrayal and all that went with it with unprecedented dignity and grace.

Judas couldn’t live with what he’d done. He took the money back and declared that he’d made a mistake — that Jesus was innocent and didn’t deserve what they had in store for him. The Jewish leaders didn’t share Judas’ remorse and told him to “deal with it.” Judas’ way of dealing with it was to commit suicide.

While Judas certainly had options — including asking and receiving forgiveness from Jesus — he allowed guilt over his dishonest means of earning money to consume him.

There are many ways to acquire the “income of the wicked,” including things like cheating on your taxes and not tithing. Everything we have belongs first to God. He only loans it to us.

It is up to us to use our financial blessings in ways that bring Him glory and honor.