DAILY WORD 11/19/20

10. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10 NLT

In Today’s Passage, Paul concludes his discussion on money and he wraps up his lesson with the Why. He’s told Timothy To Be Content with what he has, You Can’t Take It With You, Be Satisfied with Food and Clothing, and Those That Seek Riches Are in Danger of Falling Into the Snares of Temptation and Destruction.

Now, he tells him why money is so dangerous for those seeking to be Christian Leaders. He gives him the “Root Cause” of the Initial Problem. The beginning of Verse 10 is one of the most misquoted Scriptures in the Bible. Most times that I’ve heard it quoted by those outside of the Church, it’s been, “Money is the root of all evil.”

But that’s not what Paul said. The correct quote is, “For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” A minor but important adjustment that completely alters the real meaning of the Scripture and of Paul’s point. The point is not that money in and of itself is evil and corrupting.

The point is that greed and the aim to gain riches can easily corrupt even the most upright individual if they are not careful and aware. It is better to be poor and Saved than to be rich and damned. Loving money and what it can get you over God and what He can Provide for you leads to ultimate destruction.

Paul goes on to explain his position. He says that the destruction that he spoke about in yesterday’s Passage, was brought about by greed and covetousness and that those sins caused the individuals in question to veer away from Faith and Truth. The result was equivalent to someone impaling themselves with a quiver full of arrows dipped in sadness.

The reason it is better to be content even if you are poor is that poverty backed by Godliness still leads to Eternal Joy, while riches stemming from greed and corruption will always lead to Eternal Destruction. When you see the ultimate end of both positions, is there really any choice?

Money is great if it is not in control of your actions and you are willing to selflessly give it away to help others. But if it controls you and you hoard it only for yourself, it is better not to have it at all! The potential damage is too great and the potential losses are too vast. Love God, not money. Only one can give you the True Desires of your heart. The other, whether it gives you temporary comfort or not, may well lead to your Ultimate Damnation.

Have a Thought-Provoking Thursday and Stay Safe out there!

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