It has been said many times that money is the root of all evil. Many have assumed this is a statement from the Bible. Is it correct to say this? Does the Bible say money is the root of all evil?
The Love Of Money
(1 Timothy 6:10) 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.
The Scripture in 1 Timothy is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood verses in the Bible. When quoting a verse such as this one, it is important not to leave out parts of what it says. The verse does not say money is the root of all evil. It does say the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. It’s the love of money that leads to problems, not the money itself.
The Rich Young Man
The rich young ruler in (Luke 18) gives us an example of what happens when a person’s love of money is greater than their love for God. This young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told the man to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and come follow him. The Scriptures say this individual had kept all the commandments since he was a boy, but when he heard Jesus tell him to sell his possessions, he walked away sad because he had great wealth. His love of money was greater than his desire to follow Jesus.
This led Jesus to say, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God”. (Luke 18:24-25)
Can Rich People Go To Heaven?
(Genesis 13:2) Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
(1 Chronicles 29:28) He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.
God’s Word describes Abraham in Genesis, David in 1 Chronicles, and numerous other people in the Scriptures as being wealthy. These were great men of God. It is apparent that being wealthy does not prevent someone from going to heaven. The greed and desire that sometimes comes with being rich is what can become an issue.
Warnings From The Bible About Riches, Wealth, And Money
The Bible is very vocal with warnings about riches, wealth, and money.
(Mathew 6:19-21) 19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.…
(Luke 16:13) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money”.
(1 Timothy 6:9) Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
(1 Timothy 6:17) 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.
The Key To Money
(Mathew 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The key to money is a person’s attitude towards it. If we allow the desire to be rich become our goal, this leads us to putting our hope and faith in money instead of God. Chasing after money can easily lead to all kinds of evil. When we seek after God’s kingdom first, what he decides to bless us with and what we need will be given to us. If this happens to be great wealth, so be it. Using it according to God’s principles found in his Word would be wise. As long as our love is for God and we are seeking after him, money will not lead us to all kinds of evil.
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