DOES THE BIBLE SAY MONEY IS THE CAUSE OF ALL EVIL IN THE WORLD?

DOES THE BIBLE SAY MONEY IS THE CAUSE OF ALL EVIL IN THE WORLD?

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.

—1 Tim 6:10

This is a troubling scripture for many. To some, this is a scripture that condemns acquisition of money. Many irreverent men and women do ridicule Christians for this, saying that whereas we Christians believe in a book that discourages wealth and sees money as evil, our pastors and church heads won’t cease asking for offering. For this, good number of Christians is embarrassed and considers the Bible weird, hence hold some degree of reservation for the inerrancy and infallibility of the Scripture.

Well, good a thing that conscientious Christian knows that this passage of Scripture neither demonizes money nor condemns wealth per se, but rather the love of them. “For the love of money,” it says, “is the root of all evil...”

 

After all, just the seventh verse afterward says that God gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

—1 Tim 6:17

It is the quest to amass wealth, not the wealth itself, that is the root of all nasty hurts that its victims fall into.

Obviously the Scripture is replete with many admonitions about money and wealth. Just the last reference above calls it “uncertain riches”—meaning riches can’t be trusted, can’t be relied upon, is not something to brag with, doesn’t guarantee everlasting security; and because of this, those who pursue it are in for grave tragedy.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare... 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.

—1 Tim 6:9-10

Why would those who will be rich fall into evil (or “temptation and snare”)? It is because the love of money which drives them leads to evil. Evidently not all rich men will fall or have fallen into temptation, because not all rich men are lovers of money. Therefore the rich spoken about here who would fall into all kinds of evil are the rich who have love for money.

It is this same doctrine that the Lord preached when He said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” At this word of His, the Lord’s disciples were astonished out of measure, as you and I would. But the Lord explained exactly what He meant:

Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

—Mark 10:23-27

So the issue here is not that there is no room in the kingdom of God for rich people, rather it is a great deal as good as impossible for those that trust in riches.

By this we see that one doesn’t have to be rich first before developing love for money or begin to trust (or hope) in riches. Both the poor and the rich and middle-class men can have the plague; hence the warning for all people.

We can’t, however, deny that both the Lord and the Apostles really placed emphasis on the dangers of money and riches of this world, sounding warning bells especially at those already rich.

The Lord explicitly said that riches is deceitful (Mat. 13:22). Apostle Paul said, “Warn them that are rich in this world...” (1 Tim. 6:17). The Lord said that there’s a demon of money and riches named Mammon whose mission is to enslave souls thereby (Lk.16:9). And He further said that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things one possesses (Lk. 12:15).

From the above and all life experiences, it is evident—and those who are honest would confess—that riches has compelling force and illusory promise of security, power and happiness. But the Scripture says it is deceitful; meaning that it doesn’t deliver what it advertises, it may not last, and it ruins the mind of its captive. It is an opium for those who so run after it and tenaciously grasp for it. It is an opium that numbs the mind and puts one in a fool’s paradise, making them out of touch with reality, makes you think more highly of yourself than you really are, keeps you maniacally craving for more the more you acquire, seduces you into unwholesome schemes and shenanigans in order to accumulate more.

Now how can one thus occupied enter into the kingdom of God? Or how can he escape the evil accompanying such a pursuit as this?

There are those who hold the damnable doctrine of equating riches to godliness, thinking that one’s increase in wealth or money is proof of one’s righteousness. The Scripture commands that we withdraw from all such people (1 Tim. 6:5).

Amazed at this, the Lord’s apostles asked Him, “Who then can be saved?” (Mk. 10:26). The Lord answered that if any rich person must be saved, they must constantly and absolutely look unto God and never their riches (Mk. 10:27).

Though money in itself is a harmless material and God gives His children all things to enjoy, yet if they would enter the kingdom of God the rich must beware and follow those God-given instructions for them (1 Tim. 6:17-19):

1.    You must not be high minded (inward pride)—a common temptation of wealth.

2.    You should never trust in riches but in the living God (Pro. 23:5; Mk. 10:24, 27).

3.    Do good with your riches (Lk.16:9).

4.    Let your riches/money translate into countless good works.

5.    Be always ready and willing to share.

6.    Cherish spiritual things.

7.    Ensure you give your workers their due payment, and that on time (Jas. 5:1-4).