As we come to the end of our week, our focus is on one more “biblical saying” that isn’t actually in the Bible. But this one is almost correct: “Money is the root of all evil.”
Well, not quite.
Paul actually writes, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
It’s a small difference. It’s also an important one.
Money itself is remarkably neutral. A twenty-dollar bill can buy groceries for a family in need, pay a bill, help fund a church outreach program, or purchase a fifth coffee before noon on a Friday morning. Those are the positives. Of course, the same twenty-dollar bill can be used to feed a bad habit, whether drugs, alcohol, gambling, or a dozen donuts to go with the coffee.
Money is a tool.
The danger comes when the tool becomes the treasure.
The problem isn’t having money. Scripture contains faithful people who had considerable wealth and used it generously and wisely. The problem comes when money moves from our pocket to our heart.
When our security depends on it. When our identity is wrapped up in it. When our happiness rises and falls with it. When “just a little more” always seems to be the answer.
The love of money has a way of convincing us that “more” will finally bring happiness and contentment.
But since the desire for “more” never stops, happiness and contentment keep moving farther down the road. That desire leads to a deep-seated need, which leads to obsession (aka “love”).
If money – not love of it – was truly the root of all evil, I suppose we could solve the problem by either choosing not to earn any or by giving it all away. But there’s a balance. We need to live. Work gives our lives meaning and purpose. We are called to help others. And let’s not forget that God wants us to enjoy the lives we’ve been given.
Paul’s concern was never with having money. It was with worship of money.
Paul was going back to something Jesus said. We can’t love and serve both God and money because eventually one of them will claim our loyalty and take root in our hearts.
The good news is that generosity is one of God’s ways of loosening money’s grip on our hearts. Every act of giving reminds us our hope rests in God rather than in our bank account.
Money makes a wonderful servant. It makes a terrible god.
Prayer: Lord, guard my heart from loving money or things more than you. Show me the happiness and contentment that comes from you rather than from things that can be bought. May my generosity in giving be a constant reminder of all that I’ve been given. My trust rests in you, whose faithfulness endures forever. Amen.
