You didn't need the money. Over and over again, Jesus quoted the Old Testament prophet Hosea. Those are not rhetorical questions. Those are questions we need to be wrestling with. Loving mercy, choosing mercy over all of the other options, is what it's all about, from God's viewpoint.
Mercy is the heart of spirituality, and of right living.
I don't usually bring literary quotations into a message, but this is a good one. Therefore. . . It is mentioned over 120 times in the Psalms. The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. . . Thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee.