The true meaning of 1 Timothy 6:10 “love of money is the root of all evil”
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1 Timothy 6:10 Meaning of The Love of Money Is the Root of All Evil To understand why the love of money is harmful to people, you must first be clear that money is not good or bad in itself; Just like a knife or a saw, they are nothing more than tools, and they are neither good nor bad.
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.”
The people who use these tools (in the case of money or the knife) will determine what to do with them, and they are the conclusive factor that makes the tool good or bad.
“When you love money, you make money your master, so much so that you might steal, embezzle, lie, or even kill to get it.”
Money in the hands of a person obsessed and willing to do anything to get it can cause mean acts, while a knife in the hands of a good person can do things as essential as cutting a piece of bread to share it with someone.
When one loves money, then he earns money for his master
What the word of God tells us
With the biblical verse: “For the love of money is the root of all evil, which some coveting have erred from the faith and have been pierced” (1 Timothy 6:10). God’s word points out that when you “love money,” it can cause all kinds of evil deeds.
When one loves money, then he earns money for his master. You can steal, embezzle, lie, or even kill to get it. Therefore, it becomes the cause of all kinds of evil. The love of money also indicates that money is his priority, and he will commit any sin to get his hands on it.
This Bible verse says that we should not allow money to control us because you will do bad things if you let it. You have to act like the owner of your money to control it and use it correctly.
The right thing to do is love people and use money instead of loving money and using people.
Despite having a large amount in his bank account, he doesn’t mind sharing a single penny of his money with those most in need.
You would be able to fight over money with your closest family and friends.
He doesn’t mind working in poor health, as long as he doesn’t lose money (he doesn’t prioritize life).
He does not care about the exploitation, humiliation, or any offense he may receive from his bosses or clients as long as he has money in his pocket.
You can’t stop thinking about how to earn more money, even while you’re out with your family.
He prioritizes money and does not mind ending a romantic relationship if it interferes with his plans to get more money.
You are willing to conduct non-transparent immoral or dishonest business.
These are just some of the bad things a money-obsessed person can do. Since his heart and his mind prioritize money, leaving aside even God.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “No one can serve two masters; for he or he will hate the one and love the other, or esteem the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
This verse points out that every person faithful to God cannot have money as his master. The Bible also highlights that a person cannot bring money from him when he dies.
1 “For the love of money….”
This verse is often misquoted as “Money is the root of all evil.” But that is not precisely true. “The love of money” is the subject. Money is a neutral thing. A good steward will work hard to make money, then delay gratification with self-control to spend less than they make. Even though it is godly for a person to save money to be used later for good, we should not get obsessed with amassing wealth. Rather, we should be obsessed with God, his Kingdom, and His righteousness.
2 “…is a root of all kinds of evil.”
There is more than one root of evil. Sinful nature is probably the root of all evil. Loving money is a root, leading to all manner of sin as a means of obtaining that which one loves. Lying, cheating, stealing, hoarding, and working without scruples about what one must do for pay are various kinds of evil that the love of money can cause.
3 “Some people, eager for money,”
Eagerness for money has already taken hold of some people by the time of Paul’s writing. Jesus said that some would hear the word and would be like the seed that fell on thorns. The plant would at once spring up, but troubles of the world and the “deceitfulness of wealth” would cause them to be fruitless.
4 “Have wandered away from the faith….”
If truly saved, they will not leave the faith (1 Jn 2:19). The only people who truly go are people who were never really saved. Paul could be talking about these people, or he could be talking about Christians who don’t lose their salvation, but barely make it, never realizing the true joy of abundant life in Christ, living as virtual non-Christians until heaven, where they hardly get in, but with the least reward (1 Cor 3:15).
5 “…pierced themselves with many griefs.”
How truly sad to see someone wander out of the light and into the darkness. There is nothing but grief there, especially when shown the narrow path of life. When someone is in the grip of the love of money or any idolatry, they are generally blind to it and cannot be stopped from harming themselves. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, and sometimes God will mercifully grant repentance that comes along with hitting bottom when what a person thought would satisfy fails them.
Furthermore, perceiving money as a master of your life triggers bad deeds, while seeing money for what it is, a secondary tool to help you survive and share with others, will produce good deeds.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will esteem the one and despise the other.”
On the other hand, many people have modified the verse to state that “money is the root of all evil.” This saying is not true because money itself is not the root of all evil; It is the “love of money.”
Finally
Money is NOT “the” root of all evil.
The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)
But “the love of money” is a form of idolatry, the pursuit of which can result in many sins.
Money is just a tool, neither good nor bad.
Prosperity is the natural result of wisdom, diligence, hard work, giving, and trust in God.
But “the desire to be rich” results in ruin.
You can’t serve both God and the “love of money.”
Serving the Kingdom and justice of God brings his blessing.
So, love God first with all your heart.
So, you need to focus more on doing good things and being fair because, in the end, these will be your ticket to heaven and the presence of God.
NIV
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
NLT
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
ESV
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
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.
NKJV
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
