by Anthony Bertrand

Created on: November 25, 2008   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

Is money the root of all evil?
What is evil? Is it in each individual's ideas of what is right or wrong? These need to be dealt with before going to the question of what is the root of evil

The definition from the dictionary.com for evil is, "morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: evil deeds; an evil life." That is one definition, which fits this discussion best. Now going to the biblical dictionary, using Strong's Hebrew and Geek dictionary the usage in the passage is, "kakos," "worthless, depraved, injurious, bad evil harm, ill, noisome, wicked." With the foundation of what evil consist of, can any argument be made that each individual define it for themselves and ignore society? I say "no," because society has set the rules and laws for the good of all. What would happen if I decided it was fine for me to rob a bank with no consequences? There would be chaos. Now that these issues have been dealt with in a small way, the issue of the root of evil can be discussed.

The saying, money is the root of all evil, is not a true statement since the scripture passage, 1Timothy 6:10, says, "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." It is the love of money that causes all the problems of evil. It is because of the love of money that people rob, cheat, do whatever it takes to get the promotion at work, such as lie about co-workers, take credit for work they did not perform. What about dealing drugs and crooked law enforcement officials? The list goes on such as pornography, prostitution, the manipulation of the financial books by corporate managers. The worst and most damaging to the cause of Christ are the pastors and evangelist that abuse their position for gain. They will not preach the truth about sin, the blood of Jesus which washes away all sin, because they might lose membership and money. These activities represent a small sample of what people will do for money.

Consideration must be given to the fact that Paul was not the first person to attack that issue, that goes to Jesus Christ in the gospel of Mathew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." The same saying is in Luke 16:13. Some will argue that mammon and money are not the same, but in Easton's Bible dictionary mammon is defined as, " A Chaldee or Syriac word meaning "wealth" or "riches" (Luke 16:9-11); also, by personification, the god of riches (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:9-11)." So Jesus was saying the same thing, a person cannot love God and love riches. This does not mean you have to be poor to love God, but it means that God has to be first in your life and the money has to be a tool to be used to bring glory to God and then to be used to provide the necessities of life. A person must keep the priorities right, God first, even with riches God receives the first portion in tithes. The scriptures instruct believers not to worry about what they will eat, or what they will wear, because God already knows you have need of these things and He will provide, if He is first in the believers life. When God is first in a persons life there is no need to walk over co-workers to get the promotion, God will open doors no man can close, there is no need to steal or lie because God will provide all good things.

So the answer to the question, "Is money the root of all evil?" no it is not, but the love of money is, which has been shown to be a solid biblical teaching.

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