The love of money is a root of evil
O God of peace,
Who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 NRSV
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
Michael Green
If you want true profit, Paul observes, invest in godliness. Not money itself, but the love of money, is a snare which plunges people into ruin and destruction. It is a root (not the only root) of many kinds of evil (6:10). We brought nothing into the world and will take nothing out. We should therefore live simply, content with adequate food and clothing (6:8). It is well worth taking time to reflect on this teaching about money, since the lust for money and all it can buy is the besetting and debilitating disease of the West.[1]
Donald Guthrie
There is no suggestion that love of money is the sole or even main cause of evil. Paul’s concern here is to point out the spiritual risks involved in money-grabbing. This is what he means by wandering from the faith. Paul does want us to see, however, that wherever any kind of evil occurs, money easily gets mixed up with it. Illicit sex becomes the business of prostitution; the problem of drug abuse is as strongly empowered by money as it is by addiction; the love of power is inevitably tied to the deployment of wealth, and so on. It is significant that Paul speaks of those concerned as having pierced themselves with griefs. The results are seen as self-inflicted—the inevitable result of loving the wrong thing.[2]
Warren Wiersbe
Paul is warning those who will to be rich, that is, who set their whole attention on securing wealth. This kind of person is bound to fall into temptations and snares and will eventually sink into destruction. Think of all that Lot lost when he set his eyes on the rich plains of Sodom! Or all that Haman lost (see the Book of Esther) when he set his heart on riches and honor! What does a man need for contentment? Very little: food and raiment and a godly life. Think of the poverty of Christ, yet He made many rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).[3]
O God,
Your blessed Son became poor for our sake and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we may seek you with singleness of heart, behold your glory by faith, and attain to the riches of your everlasting kingdom, where we shall be united with our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
I’d Rather Have Jesus
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Michael Green, Through the New Testament with Michael Green: Matthew to Revelation (Nashville, TN; Bath, England: Kingsley Books, 2019), 265.
[2] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1303.
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 635–636.
