Moneylove ∙∙

Moneylove ∙∙

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, driven by a desire for wealth, have strayed from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. – 1 Timothy 6:10

1 Timothy 6:6-11

 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.

 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

The love of money

“Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money” (Jackie Mason).

The idea that “money is the root of all evil” is often misquoted and misunderstood from Scripture. The actual verse, 1 Timothy 6:10, states: “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”

This distinction is critical. The Bible does not condemn money or wealth itself. Still, it warns against the love of money, an obsessive attachment to material wealth that can lead to destructive behaviors and moral corruption. The verse highlights that it is not money, but the desire for it, that becomes a root cause of various evils.

The Greek Perspective: Philarguria

The term “love of money” in this verse is derived from the Greek word philarguria, which literally translates to “money-love.” It combines phileo (“to love”) and arguros (“silver”). This term appears only once in the New Testament.

Even ancient Greek philosophers recognized the dangers of philarguria. They warned against the obsessive chase for wealth, knowing that the desire for riches could grip a person’s heart and lead to downfall. This timeless advice matches the biblical teaching that greed and materialism can trap people, shifting their focus away from what truly matters.

The Origin of Greed: The Garden of Eden

The selfish quest for more is not a modern phenomenon; it began in the Garden of Eden. The grasping after the forbidden fruit was humanity’s first act of greed, a desire for something beyond what God had already provided. This same spirit of discontent and longing for more continues to manifest in the form of money-love.

Greed, or the insatiable desire for wealth, acts as a snare. It entices individuals with promises of happiness and fulfillment, only to leave them trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction and moral compromise. The pursuit of wealth, when unchecked, can overshadow spiritual priorities and lead to destructive consequences.

What You Treasure Reveals Your Heart

The Scriptures provide a profound insight into the connection between love, treasure, and the heart. Luke 12:34 states: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This verse underscores the idea that what we value most, our “treasure”, reveals the real focus of our hearts. If wealth and material possessions become our ultimate goal, they will dominate our thoughts, actions, and priorities. Conversely, if our treasure is in God and His kingdom, our hearts will align with His purposes.

The Danger of Materialism

While wealth itself is not inherently evil, it carries its own risks. Affluence can give a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, leading people to focus more on material gain than spiritual growth. The pursuit of wealth can blind individuals to their dependence on God, leaving them spiritually impoverished despite having material abundance. As our culture becomes more materialistic, the temptation to equate success with wealth grows stronger. However, Scripture reminds us that true riches are found in a relationship with the Father, not in piling up earthly possessions.

A Call to Guard Against Greed

The warning against the love of money is not merely a caution but a call to evaluate our priorities. It challenges us to think about what we value most and to make sure our hearts stay focused on God rather than the fleeting promises of material wealth.

The pursuit of wealth, when it becomes an end in itself, can lead to spiritual poverty. But when wealth is viewed as a tool for serving others and glorifying God, it can be a blessing rather than a snare.

REFLECT & PRAY

Possessing abundant earthly wealth can leave you spiritually impoverished in the eyes of the Father.

Father, in a world consumed by materialism, help me resist the pull of wealth and remain steadfast in my devotion to You.

INSIGHT

True Contentment: Godliness Over Wealth

What brings true contentment: wealth in the hand or godliness in the heart? The Scriptures clearly show that material possessions cannot provide lasting security or assurance. True contentment comes from the love of the Father, filling the heart with peace and purpose. The Bible teaches us to approach both poverty and riches with wisdom and balance, understanding that neither extreme guarantees happiness or fulfillment.

Proverbs 30:7-9 offers a profound prayer for balance: “O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.”

This passage highlights the dangers of both extremes. Wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, while poverty can tempt one to sin out of desperation. True contentment lies in trusting God to provide for our needs, rather than chasing after material wealth.

The Transience of Wealth

Wealth is fleeting. It comes and goes, and when we leave this life, it stays behind. As the saying goes, “You will never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” Jesus Himself warned against the dangers of greed in Luke 12:15: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Material possessions are temporary, but our relationship with the Father is eternal. Those who place their trust in wealth will find it to be an unreliable foundation, while those who trust in God will find lasting security.

The Slavery of Moneylove

The love of money, or moneylove, enslaves those who pursue it. People consumed by the desire to acquire and retain wealth become subservient to it, allowing it to dictate their decisions and priorities. This is why Jesus warned in Luke 16:13: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Moneylove becomes a master, demanding loyalty and devotion. For children of the King, this creates a conflict. We are called to serve God, not out of obligation, but out of love and devotion. The pursuit of wealth, when it becomes an end in itself, distracts from this higher calling.

Voluntary Servanthood

The concept of servanthood in the Bible provides a powerful metaphor for our relationship with God. In the Old Testament, Hebrew slaves could choose to remain with their masters out of love and devotion, even after their period of servitude had ended. This voluntary bondservanthood was marked by a special ceremony: Exodus 21:5-6 describes the process: “But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’ If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.”

This act symbolized a lifelong commitment, not out of obligation, but out of love. It is a vivid picture of the relationship we are called to have with the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the bondservant willingly chose to serve his master, we are invited to serve Christ out of love and devotion.

Christ: The Ultimate Servant

The concept of voluntary servanthood ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who willingly submitted to the Father’s will. Psalms 40:6-8 foreshadows this: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come, it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.’”

Jesus exemplified perfect servanthood, choosing to serve and obey the Father out of love. His life and sacrifice set the standard for how we are to follow Him, not grudgingly, but with joyful devotion.

Freedom in Serving Christ

Being a bondservant of Christ is not a burden but an expression of true freedom. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 11:30: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

When we serve Christ, we are freed from the slavery of sin, greed, and materialism. Romans 6:22 reminds us: “But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” This freedom allows us to live with purpose, knowing that our lives are aligned with God’s will. Serving Christ is not about obligation but about love, a love that transforms and liberates.

The Danger of Divided Loyalties

The choice between serving God and serving wealth is one of the most significant decisions we face. Divided loyalties lead to spiritual instability, as Jesus warned in Luke 16:13. The Father seeks our undivided devotion, not because He demands it, but because He knows it is what is best for us.

When we serve God wholeheartedly, we find true contentment and purpose. Wealth, on the other hand, offers only fleeting satisfaction and often leads to greater dissatisfaction.

Conclusion: True Riches in Christ

The Scriptures clearly show that it’s not money itself that leads to corruption, but rather the love of money. An obsession with riches can cause moral compromises, spiritual emptiness, and a disconnect from God. Real wealth isn’t found in material possessions. True fulfillment comes from a heart devoted to serving God.

As Luke 12:34 reminds us, our treasure reveals our heart. Let us ensure that our treasure is in the eternal, not the temporal, and that our hearts remain aligned with the One who is the source of all true riches.

As Kinky Friedman once said, “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.” In the same way, wealth may provide temporary comfort, but only the love of the Father can bring lasting joy and fulfillment.

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© Dr. H 2025