money is the root of all evils essay

Essay on Money Is the Root of All Evil

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100 Words Essay on Money Is the Root of All Evil

Introduction.

Money is a vital tool in our lives. It helps us buy goods, services and secures a comfortable life. But, it’s often said that “Money is the root of all evil.”

Money and Evil

So, it’s not money, but the misuse of it that causes evil. We must learn to use money wisely, ensuring it benefits us without causing harm.

250 Words Essay on Money Is the Root of All Evil

The saying “Money is the root of all evil” is a phrase that incites much debate. It is a statement that has been used to critique and analyze the societal obsession with wealth and monetary gain.

Money: A Tool or a Master?

The destructive power of greed.

Greed, often fueled by the desire for money, can lead to a host of evils. It can breed corruption, inequality, and even violence. The widening wealth gap and the exploitation of vulnerable populations are tangible manifestations of this greed.

Money and Morality

However, it’s crucial to note that money itself is not inherently evil. It is the love of money, the obsession, and the greed that can lead to immoral actions. Hence, it’s not money, but the misuse of money that is the root of evil.

In conclusion, money is a necessary tool in our society, but it becomes a problem when individuals value it above all else. Thus, it’s not the money, but the human attitude towards it that can potentially be the root of all evil. This understanding can help us foster a healthier relationship with wealth and prevent the evils associated with its misuse.

500 Words Essay on Money Is the Root of All Evil

The notion of money as the root of all evil.

Money, a medium of exchange, has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years. It has been a driving force behind human progress, facilitating trade, and fostering economic development. However, it is often said that “money is the root of all evil,” a phrase derived from a biblical quote. This essay will delve into this contentious assertion, examining the role of money in society and its potential to engender malevolence.

Money’s Inherent Neutrality

Money, in its essence, is a neutral entity. It is a tool that can be used for good or ill, depending on the intentions of the user. Money can fund philanthropic endeavors, support scientific research, and provide for basic human needs. Conversely, it can also be used to finance illicit activities, corruption, and greed. The problem, therefore, does not lie with money itself but with the human attitudes and behaviors associated with it.

The Human Factor: Greed and Corruption

Money and power dynamics.

Money also plays a pivotal role in power dynamics, often leading to inequality and injustice. Those with wealth can exert influence over political systems, skewing policies in their favor and perpetuating social inequities. In this sense, money can be seen as a source of evil. However, again, it is the misuse of money for power and control, rather than money itself, that is the root of such evils.

Money as a Means, Not an End

To mitigate the potential negative impacts of money, society must shift its perspective. Money should be viewed as a means to an end, not an end in itself. This requires fostering a culture that values integrity, fairness, and social responsibility above the accumulation of wealth. Education plays a critical role in this, promoting ethical behavior and responsible financial management.

Conclusion: A Nuanced Understanding

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Is Money The Root of All Evil: Analysis of The Debate

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

Words: 1009 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, arguments for money as the root of all evil, arguments against money as the root of all evil, the role of individual responsibility.

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• Money is the Root of All Evil, Man: 5 Career Paths for Modern Bohemians

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Social work.

We get it: you want to help people. You're a noble soul and we can dig that. However, the job market for social work and other psychology -related fields is heavily saturated. Plus, since average salaries hover around $30,000-35,000 per year ( source ), you might have to look for a side gig. May we suggest professional dancing?

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What's not to love? You've got open air, the animals, and—oh my,  the animals . Let it be known that we love a good mini-pig video.

Unfortunately, even with a projected increase in the demand for animal scientists , starting salaries come in as low as $25,000 per year ( source ). Advanced degrees bump that number up another $20,000...which, for you non-mathematicians out there, still tops you out at a measly $45,00 per year.

In any case, if you're into the animals and their sciences, we suggest you  keep on schoolin' .

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The good news: you'll be able to say, with authority, when someone is totally misinterpreting how karma works. Yeah, the jerk that cut you off in rush hour traffic probably isn't going to trip and fall into a vat of acid. 

The bad news: median starting salaries for religious studies majors are under $40,000 per year. And the job market is contracting  ( source ) .

You may have to seriously supplement your income if you choose to become a religious studies major...unless Daddy wants to continue paying your rent. Namaste .

You know the old adage: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." Well, we think that's hogwash because teachers are some of the brightest and most selfless doers around. Now if only the rest of country would catch up to our way of thinking. 

Poor education majors .

Salaries for public school teachers break $90k in only a single state of the union, and salary gains over time are often lackluster ( source ). The state of the teaching profession in the U.S. is almost enough to get Michelle Pfeiffer  looking for a new job.

Radio and TV Communications

You've got a golden voice , hair that's perfectly poised, and a smile that could dazzle a nation. Welcome to the TV and radio industry , kid. Yes, there are a lot of people in the field trying to make it big. But you've got that special something, right?

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Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?

John Piper Twitter @JohnPiper

Don’t devour one another, god decides the future, the emotional roller coaster of bible reading, god rules babylon, how does love fulfill the law, seemingly insignificant providence.

Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org

Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek ( pantōn tōn kakōn ).

It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils ” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version.

But almost all modern versions use the interpretive paraphrase: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil .” These include the NCV, NIV, NASB, ASV, ESV, NKJV, HCSB, NLT, NRSV, and GNT.

One exception among the modern translations is the NET Bible: “For the love of money is the root of all evils.” The NET note on “all evils” reads:

Many translations render this “of all kinds of evil.” . . . But there is no parallel for taking a construction like this to mean “all kinds of” or “every kind of.” The normal sense is “all evils.”

Why Do Modern Versions Paraphrase?

So what changed in the last sixty years that caused a uniformly literal translation (“root of all evils”) to give way to a uniform paraphrase (“root of all kinds of evil”)? One thing we know did not change: the meaning of the text. The Greek words of 1 Timothy 6:10 carried Paul’s intention in Luther’s day, and they carry the same intention today.

Another thing we know did not change: It is no more difficult or easy for the love of money to be the root of all evils today than it was five hundred years ago. If modern translators see a problem, so did the translators five hundred years ago. All translators have had the thought expressed in the notes of the NET Bible — that saying the love of money is the root of all evils “seems to be not entirely true to life (some evils are unrelated to love of money).” So they say.

“Modern translators feel freer to depart from clear, intelligible formal equivalence in favor of explanatory paraphrases.”

What has changed in the last sixty years is that translators today feel freer to depart from clear and intelligible formal equivalence in favor of explanatory paraphrases. There is nothing linguistically or grammatically obscure about the literal translation, “The love of money is the root of all evils.” What is unclear is how the love of money can actually be the root of all evils.

All translators have felt this, not just modern ones. Why, then, did none of the older translators translate the text as “all kinds of evil”? My guess is that their thinking went something like this:

I may not be able to see how the love of money is the root of all evils, but I should not let my inability decide whether there may indeed be a way that money is the root of all evils. So, I will leave it as Paul wrote it. Perhaps people more insightful than I will penetrate to Paul’s meaning.

That seems to be exactly the right attitude to have in translating a text that claims divine inspiration and carries absolute authority. The modern assumption seems to be:

If we can’t see how Paul could mean, “The love of money is the root of all evils,” then we have the right and the wisdom to change the wording to suggest a more plausible meaning.

Preserving Original Ambiguity

Let me try to preempt a criticism. I am aware that formal equivalence is not always possible. Sometimes there is no construction in English corresponding to the Greek and Hebrew. Sometimes formal equivalency would be so awkward that all readers would stumble over the English.

But in the case of 1 Timothy 6:10, the Greek structure in question is straightforward ( pantōn tōn kakōn ) and has an exact English counterpart (“of all evils”). Both are equally clear and equally puzzling. There is no hidden clue in the Greek phrase or the English phrase that would make things any clearer or more obscure. Which means that nothing is lost in clarity when a simple equivalent phrase is used to translate the Greek, like “root of all evils.” No clarity is lost, because the same ambiguity is preserved.

This preservation of formal similarity is a great gain. It is what I long for in all translation, wherever possible. The gain is that now the average reader, and the pastor whose Greek is rusty, has the chance to think deeply and contextually about how Paul saw the love of money as the root of all evils . The reader is not robbed of his own possible exegetical discoveries simply because the translators decided for him that no plausible meaning could be given to the words as Paul wrote them.

In my opinion, this text is a clear case where translators should humble themselves and admit that their inability to see a plausible meaning for Paul’s words (“root of all evils”) does not mean there isn’t one. If “all kinds of evil” is the best interpretation of the puzzling words, let the reader discover and decide that.

How Is Love of Money the Root of All Evils?

It is possible that when Paul wrote these words, he was fully aware how challenging they would be, and that he left them just as he wrote them because he saw a sense in which the love of money is indeed the root of all evils — all evils! — and he wanted Timothy (and us) to think down deep enough to see it.

I think that was, in fact, the case. I’ll give my very brief suggestion for how the love of money is the root of all evils. But even if you think I am wrong, the main point about translation stands, because someone else may find the key, even if I haven’t.

Here’s the context of 1 Timothy 6:6–10:

Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils . It is through this love of money that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Notice that the first part of verse 10 (“For the love of money is a root of all evils”) functions as a ground, or a cause, both backward for verse 9 and forward for the rest of verse 10. Let’s take these one at a time.

How is verse 10a a ground for verse 9?

Verse 9 says that those who desire to be rich fall into “many senseless and harmful desires.” Notice that the desire to be rich does not produce just one desire, but many . Then Paul says the desire to be rich has this effect “ because the love of money is the root of all evils.” The “desire to be rich” in verse 9 corresponds to “the love of money” in verse 10a. And the “many desires” of verse 9 corresponds to “all evils” in verse 10.

Paul is tracing the cause of these “many desires” back to the love of money as the root of “all evils.” Why does the desire to be rich not just result in one desire for money but “many desires”? Because the love of money is the root of vastly more than we usually think it is. It is the root of all evils that men do. Paul is tracing the multiplicity of desires that flow from the desire to be rich down deep to a root that accounts for “many” because it accounts for “all.”

“The love of money is the root of vastly more than we usually think it is.”

How does the love of money do that? Here is one way: Because “money” is of no value in itself (the paper or the metal). It is desirable only because it is a cultural symbol which can be traded for the “many desires” that we have. But it cannot be traded for God or godliness. Therefore, the love of money in Paul’s mind corresponds to the root longing for the things money can buy minus God. That is why all these many desires “plunge people into ruin and destruction” (verse 9).

Good desires don’t destroy. Only desires for anything minus God destroy. That is what the love of money represents. Therefore, this love is the root of all evils that men commit. Because all evils come from that root desire — the desire for anything minus God. No exceptions.

This is the essence of sin and the root of all sinning — falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Or, to put it another way, sin is “exchanging God for the creation” (see Romans 1:23, 25). In other words, at root, sin is preferring anything above God. “All evils” come from this preferring, or this desiring. If something is desired for God’s sake, that desire is not sin. If anything is desired not for God’s sake, that desire is sin. Therefore, all sin, “all evils,” come from this desire, this love — represented in 1 Timothy 6:10 by love for the currency of satisfaction minus God.

How is verse 10a related to the rest of verse 10?

Now we look in the other direction from verse 10a — forward to the rest of the verse. “ For the love of money is a root of all evils . It is through this love of money that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Just as in verse 9 the “many senseless and harmful desires plunge people into ruin and destruction,” so here in verse 10 the love of money leads people to “pierce themselves with many pangs.”

“If you love money, you cannot serve God. And if you cannot serve God, then everything you do is evil.”

How? “Through this love of money some have wandered away from the faith .” The love of money works its destruction by luring the soul to forsake faith . Faith is the contented trust in Christ that Paul referred to in verse 6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Faith says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content ” (Philippians 4:11). Faith has contentment in all circumstances because it has Christ, and Christ makes up for every loss: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

All true virtue grows from this root of resting in Christ. Without it, we perform our deeds not as an expression of Christ’s all-sufficiency, but in order to make up for some deficiency we feel, for lack of faith. But that is not true virtue, and it doesn’t honor Christ. Only what is done from faith is truly virtuous. Thus Paul wrote, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

Which means, “all evils” — to use the words of 1 Timothy 6:10 — rise from the soul that has been lured away from faith. And that, Paul says, is what the love of money does. Through this love of money “some have wandered away from the faith.” But “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Only evil comes from faithlessness — all evil .

You Can’t Love God and Money

So, whether we focus on the way 1 Timothy 6:10a relates backward to verse 9, or forward to the rest of verse 10, the conclusion is the same: It is not nonsense to speak of the love of money being the root of all evils . Changing this in translation to “all kinds of evil” is unnecessary (and when you think about it, “ all kinds” is probably just as problematic as “ all evils”).

Perhaps the simplest way to illustrate this is to quote Jesus when he said,

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Jesus uses the term “love” to describe the choice: We either love God, or we love money. He attaches the idea of “serving” to this idea of loving: “You cannot serve God and money.” From this I infer that, if you love money, you cannot serve God. And if you cannot serve God, then everything you do is evil. Because that is what evil is: any act not done out of loving service to God. Therefore, the love of money is the root of all evils , not just some evils.

Perhaps you are not persuaded that I have seen a plausible meaning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the words, “The love of money is the root of all evils .” If not, I hope you have at least seen that someone given more insight than I surely might see such a meaning. Therefore, translators should not preempt that effort by presuming to know such a meaning did not exist.

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Is Money Really the Root of All Evil?

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Paul warned Timothy of the correlation between money and evil. Expensive and flashy things naturally capture our human craving for more stuff, but no amount will ever satisfy our souls.

Though we are free to enjoy God’s blessings on this earth, money can lead to jealousy, competition, stealing, cheating, lying, and all sorts of evil. “There is no kind of evil to which the love of money may not lead people, once it starts to control their lives,” says the Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Let's take a moment to study what the Bible has to teach us about money and how it leads to evil.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Deagreez

What Does This Verse Mean?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” ( Matthew 6:21 ).

There are two schools of Biblical thinking about money. Some modern translations of Scripture suggest that only the love of money is evil, not money itself. However there are others who hold to the literal text. Regardless, anything we worship (or value, or focus on, etc.) more than God is an idol. John Piper writes that “It is possible that when Paul wrote these words, he was fully aware how challenging they would be, and that he left them just as he wrote them because he saw a sense in which the love of money is indeed the root of all evils- all evils! And he wanted Timothy (and us) to think down deep enough to see it.”

God assures us His provision, yet we strive to earn a monetary living. No amount of wealth can satisfy our souls. No matter what earthly wealth or object we are looking for, we were made to crave more of our Creator. The love of money is evil because we are commanded to have no other gods besides the one, true God.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” ( Hebrews 13:5 ).

Love is all we need. God is l ove. He is our Provider, Sustainer, Healer, Creator, and our Abba Father .

Photo credit: © Sparrowstock

Why Is It Significant That the Love of Money Is the Root of All Evil?

Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” Scripture tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith . Jesus, Himself, said to give Caesar what is Caesar’s.

God commands us to tithe as an issue of heart loyalty, not a number to religiously check off our to-do list. God knows the tendency of our hearts, and the temptation to hold onto our money. In giving it away, it keeps the love of money at bay, and God on the throne of our hearts. When we’re willing to let go of it, we learn to trust He provides for us, not our astute ability to earn money. “It is not money that is a root of all kinds of evil, but the ‘love of money,’” the Expositor’s Bible Commentary explains.

What Does This Verse NOT Mean?

“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possession and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” ( Matthew 19:21 ).

The man Jesus spoke to could not do what His Savior asked. Sadly, his possessions were seated above God on the throne of his heart. This is what God warns us of. He doesn’t hate wealth.

He tells us His plans for us are abundantly more than we could ever ask for or imagine. His blessings are new every day. We are created in His image, and we are part of His family. Our Father has good plans for our lives – to prosper us!

God hates anything we love more than Him. He is a jealous God! Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Happy Nati

What Is the Context of 1 Timothy 6?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be right fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” ( 1 Timothy 6:6-10 ).

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, one of his best friends and brothers in the faith, however he intended the church at Ephesus (left in Timothy’s care) to hear the contents of the letter, too. “In this passage, the apostle Paul tells us to desire God and all the things of God,” wrote Jamie Rohrbaugh for iBelieve.com. “He instructs us to pursue holy things with great passion, rather than setting our hearts and affections on wealth and riches.”

The entirety of Chapter 6 addresses the church at Ephesus and their tendency to fall away from the true core of Christianity. Without a Bible to carry with them as we have today, they were swayed back and forth by different attributes of other faiths, Jewish law and their society.

Paul writes of obedience to God, contentment being rooted in God, fighting the good fight of faith, God as our provider, and false knowledge. He builds up and then scales down to de-root them of the evil and lopsided love of money, reminding them it is in Christ we find true contentment, and God provides for us – not only what we need, but He blesses us above and beyond!

“The modern reader who reads these 2300-year-old portraits of defective characters will find many familiar themes,” the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament explains, “and confirm Paul’s statement about money being at the root of broken friendships, shattered marriages, a bad reputation, and all kinds of evil.”

Photo credit: Unsplash/Green Chameleon

Are Wealthy People More at Risk of Leaving the Faith?

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” ( Luke 12:33 ).

A person doesn’t have to be wealthy to give in to the temptation of the love of money. “The love of money works its destruction by luring the soul to forsake faith ,” explains John Piper.  “Faith is the contented trust in Christ that Paul referred to.” Those who are poor, orphaned and in need depend on those who have the resources to share to give them.

Deuteronomy 15:7 reminds us that “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.” Both time and money are important, for to reach those in need with the gospel their physical needs to survive must be met. 

Marshal Segal wrote for Desiring God: “A lust for more and more money and to buy more and more things is evil, and it ironically and tragically steals and murders the life and happiness it promises.” On the contrary, those who have very little may be the most content, because they know the secret to contentment is life within the love of Christ. 

Whether we are wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between, we are all faced with the temptation that money presents to us.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang

How Can We Guard Our Hearts from the Love of Money?

“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it” ( Ecclesiastes 7:12 ).

We can guard our hearts from the love of money by making sure God is sitting on the throne of our hearts at all times. Wake to spend time in prayer with Him, even if it’s brief. Align schedules and goals with the will of God through prayer and time in God’s Word.

This CBN article explains that “Money has become so important that men will lie, cheat, bribe, defame, and kill to get it. The love of money becomes the ultimate idolatry.” His Truth and Love will guard our hearts from the love of money. And when we fall into temptation, we are never too far gone to turn back to God, who is always awaiting us with arms open to forgive and embrace us.

For more verses on money, click here.

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“The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil”: What It Means and How to Preach It

1 Timothy 6:10 is often misused to teach that money is bad. Use this article to finally understand what the text means and how to preach it.

“The love of money is the root of all evil.”

It’s one of the most commonly quoted verses in the Bible.

Leaving many asking " is money the root of all evil?"

And yet, it can be a very confusing phrase without any context.

None of us really act like money is a bad thing.

None of us even act like the love of money is a bad thing.

Most Americans work 40+ hours a week just to make money. If that isn’t love, what is it?

But this phrase, which the Apostle Paul said to Timothy in a personal letter, carries a much deeper meaning than “money is bad and you shouldn’t want it.”

The Apostle Paul was making a deeper point about how to live our lives for a vision and a purpose that is bigger than money so that we know how to use that money well.

Here, we’re going to unpack that Bible verse, its context, how it’s been explained throughout the history of the church, and a few ways to apply it in a sermon. 

Translations of 1 Timothy 6:10

The money is the root of all evil bible verse in question here is 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” First, let’s read through a few different translations of this Bible verse to get a sense of how the Apostle Paul is using it:

ESV: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils . It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

NIV: Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil . Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The Message: “But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.”

The Context of 1 Timothy 6:10

First , note that the Apostle Paul is talking about a style of life that makes money its god. Paul is writing against a way of life that puts money above people, relationships, God, virtue, and charity.

Second , note that Paul is not writing against accumulating wealth . He is writing a young pastor to help him care for the souls of the churches he is planting. In summary, he is saying: “People who live like this often suffer these kinds of ends.” People who worship money often go down dark paths. That’s a more commonsense truth than “Loving money is evil.” And, it is much closer in spirit to what the Apostle Paul was saying.

Third , Paul wasn’t writing a textbook on business . He was, again, helping a young pastor to help his people focus on God. If Paul was writing a business book, he might have said: “If your goal is to make a profit, here’s how you do it.” Paul himself was a businessman—he owned a tent making business (Acts 18:3). 

Paul was a tentmaker so that he didn’t have to take money from churches. If tent making enabled Paul to do ministry without taking money from churches, then this means he turned a profit—more than that, it means he desired to turn a profit. Therefore, Paul wasn’t writing against money. Paul wasn’t mean you can’t desire to build wealth. He was saying that the desire for money is a dangerous desire, and in the grand scheme of things, we can’t take any of it with us when we die, as he says a few verses earlier: “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Tim. 6:7).

Church History's Understanding of 1 Timothy 6:10

This verse has been used throughout church history to comment on the spiritual power that the desire for money can gain over our souls. Here, we will look at examples from three Johns—John Chrysostom (4th century), John Calvin (16th century), and John Wesley (18th century).

John Chrysostom:  

“Ver. 9. ‘But they that will be rich’; not those that are rich, but those who wish to be. For a man may have money and make a good use of it, not overvaluing it, but bestowing it upon the poor. Such therefore he does not blame, but the covetous. ‘They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.’ He has justly said, ‘they drown men,’ since they cannot be raised from that depth. ‘In destruction and perdition.’  

Ver. 10. ‘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.’ Two things he mentions, and that which to them might seem the more weighty he places last, their many sorrows. And to learn how true this is, the only way is to sojourn with the rich, to see how many are their sorrows, how bitter their complaints.”

John Calvin: 

“‘ They who wish to be rich’ After having exhorted him to be content, and to despise riches, he now explains how dangerous is the desire of having them, and especially in the ministers of the Church, of whom he expressly speaks in this passage. Now the cause of the evils, which the Apostle here enumerates, is not riches, but an eager desire of them, even though the person should be poor. And here Paul shews not only what generally happens, but what must always happen; for every man that has resolved to become rich gives himself up as a captive to the devil . Most true is that saying of the heathen poet, — ‘He who is desirous of becoming rich is also desirous of acquiring riches soon.’ Hence it follows, that all who are violently desirous of acquiring wealth rush headlong.

Hence also those foolish, or rather, mad desires, which at length plunge them into perdition . This is, indeed, a universal evil; but in the pastors of the Church it is more easily seen; for they are so maddened by avarice, that they stick at nothing, however foolish, whenever the glitter of gold or silver dazzles their eyes.”

John Wesley:

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

“They that desire to be rich” — To have more than these; for then they would be so far rich; and the very desire banishes content, and exposes them to ruin. 

“Fall-plunge” — A sad gradation! Into temptation - Miserable food for the soul! And a snare - Or trap. Dreadful "covering!" And into many foolish and hurtful desires - Which are sown and fed by having more than we need. Then farewell all hope of content! What then remains, but destruction for the body, and perdition for the soul?

How to Preach 1 Timothy 6:10

We can apply several of these things to the Christian life. When preaching a sermon, consider these three points as you craft your application for this text.

1. Money is a good means, but a bad God.

‍ Christians often feel guilty about making money—especially because of a misunderstanding of 1 Timothy 6:10. Take this opportunity to ease people of that guilt and change their understanding of this text from a prohibition against wealth to a warning about wealth . 

2. We often lose what we think money will give us by pursuing it above all else.

‍ Many wealthy people reach the end of their lives and wish they had spent more time with their families, pursued more virtues paths, and done more honorable things with their lives. On the other hand, many wealthy die leaving legacies of thousands of jobs, billions of dollars given to charity, and a world changed for the better. In your pursuit of money, follow John Wesley’s advice: "Make as much as you can and give as much as you can." Don’t sacrifice family, friendship, or integrity at the throne of money. Use money as a tool to invest in the betterment of everyone within your reach.

3. Giving to the church is God’s way of keeping a check on our love of money.

God commands his people to give to the church. This practice helps Christians to maintain a financial margin in their lives so that they refrain from spending money on frivolous things, and so that their time and money can be a service to God’s work through his kingdom on earth: the church.

As you continue to study 1 Timothy 6:10—“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”—keep in mind the nuance and beauty of the truths this sentence aims to convey. If you feel guilty about money because of this verse, liberate yourself from that guilt. If you guilt others about money root of all evil, you are now free to stop.

But most of all—in Christ, we are free not to pursue money above all else, but to live for something bigger than ourselves: loving God and neighbor. This freedom should bring us joy, not guilt. And that is fundamental point that Paul is making in 1 Timothy 6:10 when he says “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

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