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
God’s word tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Christian believers would do well to recognize and identify the different kinds of evil in which this particular root can manifest.
Avarice — Love of Money
The love of money causes some to long for wealth. These people believe that extreme wealth is attainable and they will spend their lives chasing after riches at any cost.
They will sacrifice marriages and friendships in pursuit of any gain. They may sacrifice their health and their moral compass. In their minds, no risk is too great in pursuit of riches. More often than not, these people never realize their goals but that does not stop them. However, this will never deter them from chasing the dream.
Too late, they realize the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil — and their kind is avarice.
Materialism — Love of Money
Others believe that such extreme wealth is unattainable. These people make their peace with the fact that they will never be wealthy. However, their particular love of money causes some to accumulate those possessions they can afford.
When the money runs out, they reach for credit to satiate their desire to accumulate more things. People in this position never chase after riches. Rather, they find themselves in constant need of just a little more money than they have right now as they have acquired more possessions than they could reasonably afford.
These people will spend all their lives in financial struggle. This is another kind of evil whose root is the Love of Money. In the end they discover the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The price of their materialism is consumer-debt and life-long financial struggle.
Hoarding — Love of Money
The love of money causes some to hoard cash. These people are consumed with fear of losing what they already have and become miserly, frugal and miserable. Think Ebenezer Scrooge!
In the end they discover the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. They destroy relationships with those around them. They may be rich but they live as if they are poor. They never experience the joy of giving and die miserable and alone.
Too late, they discover the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. In their case it is often loneliness and the pain of broken relationships.
Greed — Love of Money
The love of money causes some to spend uncontrollably. Instead of chasing after riches, they find it impossible to hold on to money and it flows like water through their hands. While they often fail to recognize it, this is a form of greed. People with this mind-set love to spend money and deny themselves nothing. They continue to spend and acquire until every penny they earn is gone. They will even reach for credit in order to spend money they have yet to earn, regardless of the interest costs.
They end up destitute, overcome by consumer-debt. They are forced to work hard their entire lives and never have the time to seek God’s kingdom first in their lives. These are the people who are rendered unfruitful according to God’s word.
…but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:19
This is a fairly common kind of evil whose root is the love of money.
Love of Money is the Root of All Kinds of Evil
As God’s word says, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. As believers, we need to examine our hearts and identify which kinds of evil we are most susceptible to.
Once we do that, we are in a position to repent and allow the Holy Spirit to help us overcome the love of money in our lives. Whatever kind of evil we struggle with, God can bring healing and change us from lovers of money to obedient Stewards of His abundance in our lives.
When this happens, both financial struggle and an eternal striving after riches will become a thing of the past.