The Root of Evil
Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 6:3-10
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
1 Timothy 6:10
Many people misquote this verse and say that “money is the root of evil.” But Paul tells us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Was Paul exaggerating? Isn’t desire for sex or power the root of many evils too?
Well, the love of money, as a medium of exchange, can get us a lot of things we crave—including sex and power. Loving money means that we love all the things money can buy. It can buy us the pleasures of travel and drink and important positions in the public eye.
But, as the Beatles sang, “Money can’t buy me love.” Though we may love money, money cannot love us back. Money cannot satisfy us.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Only when we love the One who fulfills all our needs and desires are we free. Only when we return the love of the One who first loved us are we satisfied.
Money can do a lot of things, but it cannot do the greatest thing. Money cannot buy God’s love for us or satisfy our desire for God. Paul was giving wise spiritual and financial advice when he warned us to keep money in its proper place.
Lord, keep us from feeling that our money is so important. Help us to see that it can lead us into all kinds of evil. Show us to love you first of all, as you have loved us. Amen.
About the author — Kent Van Til
Kent Van Til was a missionary in Costa Rica. He taught theological ethics both there and in the USA. He is the author of four books. The most recent is a spiritual biography of his grandmother entitled, "A Name for Herself: A Dutch Immigrant's Story." Kent likes to fish, hunt, make music, and entertain his grandchildren.
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