In Numbers, chapter twenty-two, verse eighteen, Balaam answers the Sons of Balak with an intelligent response. Balaam’s reference to “the Lord my God” may indicate that His worship of many gods included the worship of the God of Israel. Scripture depicts Balaam as a man motivated by money rather than righteousness.
The servants of Balak were not only princes of the land but officers of state in the court of Balak. Balaam’s response to the sons was well-spoken, had it been from his heart: he speaks very respectfully of God, calling him by his great and incommunicable name Jehovah, the Being of beings; representing him as the object of his worship and adoration, as he might be along with other gods, which was the practice of the Heathens in those times, especially the Syrians, among whom Balaam lived. Therefore, this environment demonstrates where he develops this approach that influences him to operate that way. So did Laban and others before him: likewise, he makes a profession of God and claims an interest in Him to make himself look greater, as being the servant of the highest God.
Balaam speaks very well of the word of God, to which he pretended so strict that he would not transgress it in the least, for all that Balak could give him or more, no, not for all the money in the world. Yet, his heart at the same time went after his covetousness. Balaam was eagerly desirous and greedy to receive the advantages into his hands of the offer that came to him from Balak. For he hoped that God would change his mind and alter his word and give him leave to go and get the money, as appears by what follows in verses nineteen through twenty of the same chapter.
Today, some pastors or leaders claim to serve God, and yet they appear to but are motivated by money rather than righteousness. People can receive salvation through the word of God spoken from their mouths, but to be under their ministry could be dangerous if those leaders have others gods they serve. Money can be a god to others. If pastors or leaders of churches fall into the trap of the prosperity ministry, giving sermons or messages about that, they may be under the influence of other gods.