Scripture text for Tuesday, May 4th, 2010: 1 Timothy 6:3-6:21
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“Is Money Really the Root of All Evil?”
We’ve all heard the phrase “Money is the root of all evil.” It’s usually a phrase used to explain why someone has embezzled company funds or has sacrificed any sense of basic human morality for profit. Recent experiences on Wall Street provide some vivid examples of how money can corrupt people. However, the Bible doesn’t really say that money is inherently evil. What Scripture does say is that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Scripture is full of stories of individuals and whole societies that chose love of money over love of God. But money isn’t the problem. Our response to money is the problem.
The Great Commandment is that we are to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). If we make the choice to focus on the world’s view of success by continually adding to the number of fancy cars, big houses, and exotic vacations we have, we are filling our hearts, souls, and minds with the love of “things”, not the love for God. Fancy cars, big houses, and exotic vacations aren’t evil. But when people desire those cars, houses, and vacations more than they desire God in their lives, they push God out to make room for more “things”.
Ask yourself how your relationship with God would change if you had more money. How would it change if you had less money? To paraphrase Paul: Put your hope in God, not in wealth. Recognizing the real treasure will allow you to experience the life that is truly life. God doesn’t care how much money you have. God cares about you.
Devotion prepared by Kelly Blanchard