Not Money, but the Love of It
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
You’ve probably heard it said that money is the root of all evil. But that isn’t what the Bible says. The verse reads, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” Three small words make all the difference.
Money itself is a tool. It can feed families, build churches and help the poor. The danger is the love of it, the place it takes in the heart.
Moses warned Israel about exactly this, before they ever owned a field: “Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein… thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied… Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God.”
Prosperity isn’t the problem. Forgetting is. When things go well, it is easy to forget who gave them. Paul says those who coveted money “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Keep money in your hand and God in your heart.
Count it yourself
“the love of money” appears once in the KJV (1 Timothy 6:10).
When things are going well, are you more likely to remember God or forget him?
Lord, keep me from the love of money. When I am full, let me remember you. Amen.