Each week I like to write on what the Bible says about money. This week’s Bible and money focus is on 1 Timothy 6:10:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
Many people have misconstrued this verse to mean that “money is the root” of all kinds of evil when in fact is says that “the love of money” is.
They often use this verse to beat up on business people who have become wealthy and successful, claiming that they are unvirtuous because they are wealthy.
I don’t know how you can read the scriptures and come away with the perspective that money itself is evil. Money is a tool that people can use to exchange value for goods or services. But how we use money is, I believe, a reflection of what’s in our heart. God can be on the throne of our heart, or money can.
I think what Paul is saying here is that when making money becomes your driving motivator, instead of building God’s kingdom, you can become blind to your true calling in life and fall for all kinds of temptations – and even end up wrecking your faith.
If you keep the love of God central in your life, I believe you’ll be able to keep a proper perspective on how to use money as a tool to build God’s kingdom.
But if you start to love money and allow it to become central in your life, I believe you’ll eventually end up using God and other people as a tool for your own selfish gain.
Have you ever struggled with the thought that “money is the root” of all kinds of evil? Or have you see seen the “love of money” at work in someone’s life?
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