The Love Of Money

(1 Timothy 6:10 KJV) 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. 

Our text has probably been taken out of context as much as any other scripture in the Bible. Over the years, I have noticed that the folks who seem to take our text out of context, usually fall into one of two categories. They are either ultra-conservative, which is based on the lack of faith or they are jealousy-driven, which is based on fear. The result of their lack of success is usually because they are not willing to pay the required price for success.

Falling into either of these categories is a set up for misquoting our text. The obvious way of misquoting our text is by saying things like, “Money is the root of all evil.” However, the Bible did not say that “Money was the root of all evil”…it says “The love of money is the root of all evil”.

I have also noticed over the years that the ones who misquote our text are the ones who seem to rejoice the most over actually getting money. Perhaps what they really meant to say was that “Money is the root of all evil”…unless they have it.

I know a lot of people around the country who have made their millions over the years by just being good honest, God-fearing, hard-working people. These folks also seemed to be blessed with the ability to never over-value their money.

However, there is another group of folks that I want to point out that put a very high value on money. As a matter of fact, money seems to bring out the hidden beast in them because they use their money to bend the mind and will of others by appealing to their vulnerable side…their need for money.

Over the years I have known many cases where money and greed were mixed and the results were always nasty. I suppose if when one puts money, greed and nasty in the same sentence they should also add the phrase evil-spirit in there as well.

I know a family where all of these are functioning all of the time in full force. As a matter of fact greed, money and nasty have divided this entire family. When something is not done according to certain specifications then that family member is threatened by telling them they will lose their inheritance. This mind control has gotten so completely out of control that what seems to be the favorite child is now threatening other members of the family with…“I can see that you will get taken out of the will”.

Everything in life has a value and our text shows the results of miss-valuing things. In other words, our text shows us that money itself is not evil, but the love of money (or miss-valuing of it) causes one to err from the faith and thus begins the road to compromise.

Perhaps the point of this Meditation is to check and see if “you are for sale” and what is your price.

Father,

Help us to enjoy our financial blessings, but also help us not to over-value our blessings to the extent that we become greedy and nasty spirited. Father we want to be kind and generous like You, and above all help us not to use Your blessings to threaten others who have less.

Amen