1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

One of the most misunderstood statements in the Bible is that money is the root of all evil. Many people quote this statement to suggest that money itself is evil. Others believe that having money is a sign of worldliness or that poverty makes a person more spiritual. But is this what the Bible teaches?

Absolutely not!

The Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil. It says that the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil. There is a significant difference between possessing money and allowing money to possess your heart.

God is not against you having money. He is against money becoming your master.

Money Is Not Evil

Money is a medium of exchange. It is a resource people use to meet their needs, support their families, conduct business and help others.

Abraham was wealthy. Genesis 13:2 tells us that he had great wealth in livestock, silver and gold. Job was also wealthy, and God blessed him abundantly. Solomon received great riches from God.

Does this mean these men were evil because they had money? No!

The problem is not having money. The problem begins when money takes the place of God in your heart.

You can have money and love God. You can also have very little money and still be controlled by greed, envy and the desire for wealth.

Poverty does not automatically make a person holy, just as wealth does not automatically make a person wicked.

The Love of Money Leads to Destruction

Let us examine 1 Timothy 6:9-10.

Paul warns that people who desire to become rich fall into temptation and harmful desires. He explains that the love of money leads people into many kinds of evil.

Notice the words: desire to become rich and love of money.

Paul is addressing the condition of the heart.

When money becomes your greatest ambition, you begin to compromise your values. You lie to make a profit. You cheat others to increase your wealth. You abandon your family to pursue financial success. You even compromise your faith to gain material benefits.

Some people have sold their integrity for money. Others have destroyed marriages, friendships and ministries because of financial greed.

This is the danger Paul is addressing.

Money becomes dangerous when you are willing to disobey God to obtain it.

Kingdom Citizens, never allow your desire for money to become greater than your desire to please God!

You Cannot Serve God and Money

Jesus made a powerful statement in Matthew 6:24 (NIV):

“No one can serve two masters.”

He explained that a person cannot serve both God and money.

Jesus was teaching about loyalty and the condition of the heart. Money is a useful servant, but it is a terrible master.

When money controls your decisions, determines your obedience and dictates your values, it has become your god.

Consider these questions:

• Will you compromise your faith to become wealthy?
• Will you abandon your calling because of financial gain?
• Will you cheat someone because you need money?
• Will you refuse to help someone because you love your possessions more than people?
• Will you stop serving God because there is no financial reward?

Your answers reveal what controls your heart.

God must remain first in your life. Your possessions must never take His place.

Wealth Is Not a Sin, But Greed Is Dangerous

Some people believe that a believer must remain poor to please God. This is not a biblical teaching.

In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul gives instructions to those who are rich. He does not command them to throw away their wealth. Instead, he tells them not to become proud or put their hope in riches. They should put their hope in God, do good, be generous and be willing to share.

This is important.

God expects you to manage your resources with wisdom and responsibility.

If God blesses you financially, use your resources to support your family, help the needy, advance good works and serve His purpose.

Do not become proud because you have money. Do not look down on those who have less. Remember that everything you possess is a responsibility entrusted to you.

The question is not simply how much money you have. The question is how you use it and what place it occupies in your heart.

The Rich Fool: A Warning Against Greed

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus told the parable of a rich man whose land produced an abundant harvest.

The man decided to build bigger barns to store his wealth. He planned to enjoy his riches for many years.

But God called him a fool because his life would end that very night.

What was his problem?

He had accumulated wealth but failed to prepare his soul. He thought his possessions were the foundation of his future. He forgot that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.

This is a serious warning.

You can have a successful business and still fail spiritually. You can own houses, cars and investments and still be poor toward God.

Never spend your entire life building your bank account while neglecting your relationship with God.

How Should Kingdom Citizens Relate to Money?

The Bible teaches us to handle money with wisdom, honesty and contentment.

Here are five principles to follow:

1. Put God first. Never allow financial gain to become more important than obedience to God.
2. Work honestly. Proverbs 13:11 teaches that wealth gained dishonestly diminishes, but wealth gathered little by little grows.
3. Be content. Hebrews 13:5 teaches believers to keep their lives free from the love of money and be content with what they have.
4. Be generous. Use your resources to help others and support good works.
5. Be a faithful steward. Remember that your possessions are resources entrusted to you. Manage them responsibly.

Does Money Control You?

Kingdom Citizens, money is not your master. God is!

Do not allow the pursuit of wealth to destroy your character, weaken your faith or separate you from God’s purpose.

There is nothing wrong with desiring financial progress. There is nothing wrong with building a successful business, owning property or providing a comfortable life for your family.

But there is everything wrong with gaining the whole world and losing your soul.

Let money serve your purpose. Never allow your purpose to serve money.

Be wealthy in good works. Be rich in faith. Be generous in spirit. Above all, keep your heart devoted to God.

Remember: God is not measuring your life by the size of your bank account. He is concerned with the condition of your heart.

Kingdom Citizens, have money, but never let money have you!