Money is the root of all evil. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. I’ve heard it a lot. I’ve even had to correct one pastor who uttered those very words. I hear or read it mostly in relation to debt. I guess that money is the problem instead of spending beyond one’s means. It’s just another way to not take responsibility for actions. It wasn’t me. The devil made me do it. It was the Twinkies.
Money is not evil. Credit cards are not evil. Mortgages are not evil. These things are inanimate objects that serve a purpose. They are all useful and often necessary. To call them evil would be like calling cars evil.
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.” This is on page 2195 of my Life Application Bible, New International Version. Now I’m no theological scholar, but it’s pretty clear to me that money isn’t evil. Even the everyday pursuit of a living or even a basic lifestyle isn’t evil. Greed on the other hand is evil. That’s what love of money is: Greed. Greed will become all consuming and make a person do things that the non-covetous person probably wouldn’t. Greed clouds the better judgment.
Money is just money. We all need it in order to survive. We have to purchase goods and services. We have to have housing and transportation. We no longer live in an age when we barter crops, livestock, or services in exchange for things we need. We use currency and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to something better. But if your heart covets and is never satisfied, then it’s time to reevaluate.