Most people believe that to be true. Others mis interpret what is said at 1Timothy 6:10.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
You see, there is a big difference between the “love of money” and money itself. In fact, the latter is harmless. On the contrary is very useful. I mean it is a necessity for survival.
So, what is the bible talking about when it says the love of money is the root of all evil? What evil exactly?
Let the bible still answer for us.
Note that it says ‘’the love of money’’- and not money in itself.
In the bible, wealthy but wise king Solomon pointed out three things that frequently befalls lovers of money
1. Worry
Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep
2. Dissatisfaction
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
3. Temptations
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will receive many blessings,But the one hastening to get rich will not remain innocent.
There is a famous saying
‘Money makes the world go round.’
That is true to a large extent. It takes money to purchase clothes, food and pay rent. It is obvious that money plays an all important role in the society.
In fact, Ecclesiastes 7:12 says.
For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
So where does the problem lie? The love of money portrays a desire, a strong desire for money. And that desire in turn, makes people go out of line to get that money. (James 1:14, 15)
The above scriptures talks about desire leading into sin.
Does this mean it is bad to want to have a bigger house, Or a better car or a higher paying job?
Not at all. None of the things mentioned above are evil. But what is the attitude of the heart of the person that desires these things, and are they a necessity?
You see, there is a major difference between a normal desire and greed. A well placed and healthy desire is good. It is a motivating force to work hard and be productive. (Proverbs 16:26).
However, greed is very dangerous. It can destroy. Jesus spoke against this greed at Luke 12:15
Then he said to them: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.”
Paul offered help when he said at 1Timothy 6:8
So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.
Most people view entertainment that portrays celebrities living big or large in pent houses. That’s is not contentment. I am not saying Gods people should impose poverty on themselves. But with the basic necessities of life, we can be content.
Love of money has pushed so many to do a lot of evil things, ranging from blackmail, fraud, robberies, kidnaping, and murder.
An adage says ’every man has his price’ this implies that even an honest and good person is willing to go against the rules of morality when the right sum of money is involved.
Brothers and sisters. Materialism can rightly be defined as the love of money and is cause of a lot of evil things. But most of my readers may say, ’ I do not even have enough money to take care of myself, I am not even rich or close to.’
I will be citing two examples in the bible that will help all of us understand what the love of money is.
First is Baruch
Baruch stayed in Jerusalem close to the time of her destruction. He was a close friend of Jeremiah and likely from a poor background because of the circumstances in Jerusalem.
One might say that this poor man could not be materialistic.
But note God’s strong counsel to him at Jerimiah 45: 4,5.
You should say to him, ‘This is what your Lord says: “Look! What I have built up I am tearing down, and what I have planted I am uprooting—the entire land. But you are seeking great things for yourself. Stop seeking such things.”
Second, Jesus gave an illustration of a rich man who was occupied with his riches.
This man had no place for God in his mind. As a matter of fact all he was thinking about was how to accumulate more riches for himself.
The result?
at Luke 12: 20, 21
But God said to him, ‘Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your life from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?’ So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God
What is the lesson from the two accounts above?
Materialism or the love of money, is not as a result of how much a person has but as a result of the level of priority placed on material things.
That is why Paul said here in 1Timothy 6:9
But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin.
So, when people are determined to be rich or richer (as in the case of the rich man in Jesus parable) and that strong desire promotes a love for money in them.
I have made my research primarily using the bible.
What do you guys think? Is money the root of all evil? Drop your comments below