Money = Evil?

Have you heard that misquoted phrase "Money is the root of all evil"?

The real scriptural quotation comes from 1 Timothy 6:10:

"For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains."

Wow. When you read the entirety, it sure paints a different picture, doesn't it?

From that alone we can start to explore God's Word that it is not the money itself, rather man's desire for it that causes much grief and pain. For those who have strayed away from faith that God will provide, as He always has for what we need, and instead turned towards man-made solution, it creates a weighted burden that does more harm than good.

Use of Wealth

Looking at additional scriptural passages, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, it shares about the right use of wealth:

"Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather of God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life."

A Deeper Reflection

Do not boast about the successes that one has had, for as quickly as it can come to you, it can just as quickly be taken away. Wealth is not a stable source, nor reliable in terms of providing. Life has perhaps proven that time and again to all of us -- we can save for something and sure enough, something happens that causes us to have to use the resources of money. Perhaps we were saving for a "dream vacation" and then the car's engine dies and needs replaced, thus taking away the money set aside.

It can feel so defeating. We have worked hard for that money and now it must be spent on something other than what we had set our minds on. We wanted to use that money for a vacation. Though in reality, as great as that vacation could be, it humbles us into realizing that the "dream destination vacation" is not what it is all about. That bonding time, making memories, engaging with our loved ones and growing together can be experienced ANYWHERE.

Some of the best memories I have include setting up our massive 11-person tent and "camping in the wild" of our own backyard. We did the entire camping experience -- without it costing more than the time to set it up.

Those are cherished memories. And money was not needed to experience it. We had resources already available. While money could have taken us to a National Park, memories were made and enjoyed at home. It didn't make it any less enjoyable or memorable. Sometimes those expectations we place upon what money can provide us are distractions from what God has already provided us.

Taking It Back

Back into our scripture, it shares that the rich are to do good, be generous in good works and ready to share. It doesn't tell us "you are evil for having money/wealth". It simply tells us to be good, do good, and share.

Giving generously, rather than holding onto our earnings with this fear stricken poverty mindset, we release that anchor with which money has weighted us down. Our outside resources are quick to come, quick to go, and not really ours as we take nothing with us beyond our own souls when we go.

Final Thoughts

Enrich your spirit with good works and practice the good Word's teachings daily. That is the depths of riches that we DO take with us in the end.