I heard of a dear, good woman the other day.
She had a very hard life to make both ends meet. And one day, the person who was lodging with her left her purse on the table.
The woman would never have thought of opening the purse and taking out her neighbour's money! Oh no!
Satan was too wary to suggest that!
The dear woman went to move the purse to a place of safety, and it was very full of money, and fell open, and the contents in a moment lay scattered on the floor: shillings, sixpences, half-crowns!
Then Satan saw his opportunity. As the dear woman stooped to gather the money, the thought crossed her heart: "She would never miss one of these coins! And I do need them so—"
And then the dreadfulness of the temptation came upon her, and she fell on her knees.
"Dear Lord, forgive me!" she murmured, and hurried to gather up the money, and to restore the purse to its owner. God had helped her to be brave!
What made Judas betray his Lord?
Was it not that he was a thief, and had the bag, and carried about with him what was in it?