INTRODUCTION

I'm sure most of you have heard the phrase, "Money is the root of all evil" before. Most people, even non-Christians are familiar with this phrase. However, this phrase is probably the most misquoted scripture in history.

 

EXAMINING THE LIE

The phrase "Money is the root of all evil" is actually a misquote of the first part of 1 Timothy 6:10 which states:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10a).

 

EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE

As we can see from 1 Timothy 6:10, money isn't the root of all evil, but actually it is the love of money which is the root of all evil. Money in and of itself isn't inherently good or evil, but just a tool. How that tool is used and acquired is what determines good or evil intents and purposes. The same money can be used to feed the poor and can be used to offer a bribe. The same tool is utilized, just with a different intent and purpose.

This misquote has led to misguided actions. I'm reminded of a scene from the movie, "The Blues Brothers". It this scene, Jake and Elwood Blues go to the Catholic orphanage they were raised in and visit the head nun. The nun laments the orphanage's current financial crisis which is threatening to close the orphanage unless a large payment is made on the mortgage which is past due. Being the less than reputable character that he was and just having finished serving prison time, Jake tells the nun he'll have the money by tomorrow. The nun refuses this offer knowing that Jake will commit a crime to get the money. She tells him, "I will not take any of your filthy drug money!" Now, the money itself isn't evil even if it is acquired through evil means. That ill gotten money could just as easily pay the mortgage on the orphanage as could money that was obtained in a law abiding manner. This misquoted phrase also fails to consider another scripture which states:

"the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." (Proverbs 13:22b).

Now, this is not to say I condone Jake's method of acquiring the money, but that the nun's view of money acquired by evil means is "dirty" and therefore should not be accepted for fear of tarnishing the orphanage's "holy" image, is inaccurate.

As 1 Timothy 6:10 teaches us, the love of money is the root of all evil. How is this so? The love of money will cause individuals to attempt to acquire it through illicit means. The love of money will cause a person to rob a bank, a store, their company or another individual. The love of money will cause a person to lower their morals by engaging in sex related behavior including prostitution, exotic dancing and pornography. The love of money will cause an individual or company to cheat on their taxes, pay employees under the table in order to avoid paying taxes, move money and assets overseas to avoid paying taxes, engage in money laundering, take a bribe, engage in quid pro quo, and sell drugs (both prescription and the illegal kind).

 

CONCLUSION

The well know phrase "Money is the root of all evil" is a misquote of 1 Timothy 6:10 and is probably one of the most misquoted scriptures ever. The scripture is clear, it is "the LOVE OF MONEY that is the root of all evil". Let's quote it correctly from now on and learn its lessons.