Is Money the Root of All Kinds of Evil?

Is money the real root of all kinds of evil? Is it the main cause of greed, envy, murder, theft and other acts of evil? The Bible answers no – it’s not the money or even the precious stones, valuable metals, beautiful cars, and magnificent mansions. But it is the love of money and the love of earthly things. Money is used to facilitate the exchange of goods and services. Diamonds and gold have their own good purpose. Likewise, nice cars and mansions can be symbols of diligence, grace and prosperity. The saying money is the root of all evil is a great misconception. It arose from an incomplete reading and understanding of a certain verse in the Bible. What is completely and truly written in that verse is the following:

The Bible clearly said that it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
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.

This is because when a man loves money, he is putting money, rather than God, in his heart. Thus, he starts to treasure earthly things like money and forget to treasure God and good deeds. He begins to become a servant of money rather than become a servant of God.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

That’s why God commanded this to the ones who have money so that they may not turn their hearts to material things but to turn their hearts to God, whom will give us true wealth that never perish.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

And finally, the Lord has also taught the following to the ones who are worrying for money and other physical needs.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (New International Version)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”

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