Why is Balaam's story significant for Christians?

Balaam, as described in the Scriptures, was a prophet who succumbed to the temptation of greed. He was hired to curse Israel but ultimately sought profit over faithfulness to God. His teachings led Israel to sin through idolatry and immorality by compromising God’s commandments for personal gain. This serves as a warning for Christians against the dangers of mixing spirituality with self-serving motives. Jude references Balaam to caution believers about the grave consequences of allowing material desires to dictate their faith practices, emphasizing that true discipleship requires integrity and fidelity to God’s word.