Elder Ko Swee Chay

The Love of Money is the Root of all Evil

Introduction
In this modern and materialistic world that we are living in today, there are many beautiful and attractive things which are captivating. Daily when we open the letter box or turn to the newspaper, we come across all kinds of marketing flyers and advertisements: waterfront condominium launches, new car models, cameras for sale, latest handphone models etc. Many work doubly hard to purchase all these things. Some spend beyond their means by taking multiple hire-purchases and loans. For many people, earning more money and living a luxurious life is the main goal in life. The love of money is wide-spread in our society today. We hear of people taking up a second or even a third job to support a luxurious lifestyle. Christians are not spared from being carnal and lovers of money and of the world.

The inspired Word of God penned by Apostle Paul warns us: "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." (1 Tim 6:10). The love of money is sinful because we put our trust, confidence and security in it rather than in God. The Bible teaches us many precious lessons concerning the dangers and consequences of "the love of money" for it is the root of all evil.

What is Money?
The dictionary defines money as "What you earn by working and what you spend in order to buy things." Yes, we all need money to feed and clothe ourselves and our family members; we all need to work to earn money. We all know the usefulness of money which can purchase food we love to eat and things we love to possess. Money of itself answers nothing; it will neither feed nor clothe; but, as it is the instrument of commerce, it answers all the occasions of this present life. But it answers nothing to the soul; it will not buy us the peace of conscience, the favour of God, eternal life in heaven. Sadly many people including Christians still believe that money brings happiness and security.

In the biblical sense, money is not just notes and coins only. It covers all material possessions, bank accounts, stocks and shares. Money is only an instrument of commerce, and is good only on this planet earth and not in heaven. Money is good for nothing except when it is used. As Christians, we are taught by God’s Word that all the money and things that we possess come from God, that we are stewards put in charge of what we possess, and we ought to use them wisely for God’s work and God’s glory.

What is the Love of Money?
1 Tim 6:10 is not saying that "money is the root of all evil", but "the love of money is the root of all evil". The condemnation by Paul is against the "love of money" and not money itself. The love of money is this love of earning and getting more money or this strong desire and greed of having more of something. This is sometimes even done through immoral and unjust manners to satisfy one’s selfish desires and lusts; and at the expense of something, either one's own soul or family. This is carnality and is of the world and not of God. The lover of money is the lover of the world, and the love of God is not in him. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:15-16)

Money and wealth are morally neutral. There is nothing wrong with being rich and wealthy if these things are acquired through proper means and in just manners by the grace of God. However, when we put all our heart, mind and soul to acquire more and more money and more and more material possessions, and allow money to control our hearts and become our god, and take away our worship, devotion and service to God, then we become a lover of money, and soon a lover of the world. There is nothing wrong with money or possessions. Being rich is not sinful in itself, but making money our god is sin.

Why is the Love of Money the Root of all Evil?
Scripture recognises that money is necessary for survival, but it warns against the love of money (see Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5). The love of money and material things will cause one to covet for more, and consequently to err (or depart/forego) from the Christian faith (1 Tim 6:10). Those who love money will not be contented with having food and raiment but will desire to be rich. "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." (1 Tim 6:9). When money starts to control our hearts, our motives and actions, that is when problems start and sin starts to creep into our lives.
In the early part of 1 Tim 6, Paul warned young Timothy of false teachers who will seek to teach another gospel, who consent not to God’s Word, and who pervert the doctrine and are destitute of the truth. These false teachers do these things for money and fame, "supposing that gain is godliness" (1 Tim 6:3-5).
Those who have the love of money and an immoderate insatiable desire to be rich are the ones who will succumb to temptations and fall into a snare, leading to all sorts of evil and sins. Insatiable desire, lust and covetousness cause people to do all sorts of things they wouldn’t normally do. Most of the crimes are usually initiated by either greed or jealousy, or both. The love of money is what motivates people to steal, cheat, embezzle, accept bribes and gamble.

The Consequence of the Love of Money is Many Sorrows
Do not love money. It can cut you. The love of money is very dangerous and it will lead men to all kinds of sins. People may be poor or rich and yet not love money. But if they love money inordinately, it will push them to do all kinds of evil deeds; for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith, "and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Tim 6:10).
Achan’s story is a sad one – "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it." (Josh 7:21). Achan succumbed to the love of money and acted foolishly. Israel lost the conquest of the city of Ai and 36 Israelites were killed because of this. Achan and his family faced the death penalty – they were stoned and burned with fire by the people of Israel (Josh 7:25)
The love of money is dangerous for pastors and preachers too.

How do we Keep Away from the Love of Money?
God’s Word gives us a number of valuable guidelines and warnings:
1) Realise that "we can carry nothing out" – This is very obvious, but yet many forget. This is why we should be content with what we have, for we came into this world naked and it is certain that we leave this world naked. Henry Simon commented: "A shroud, a coffin and a grave are all that the richest man in the world can have from his thousands." When our main goal in life is to earn and accumulate more money, and when we focus all our heart, mind and soul on material things, we have to examine our Christian faith and remind ourselves of the reality of death - "we can carry nothing out". God’s Word makes it abundantly clear of this hard truth three times in different books of the Bible. Job said: "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither…." (Job 1:21). King Solomon said: "As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand." (Eccl 5:15). Paul said: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Tim 6:7). Let us not exchange our faith and eternal life for money.

2) Know that all the things of the earth shall be destroyed by fire in the day of the LORD, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judge the world. "….the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). All people will be judged by Him on how we live our lives, including how we manage money.

3) Trust not in uncertain riches – Money is uncertain and insecure. We experienced how property prices, stocks and shares tumble during financial/currency crisis, and valuable things were stolen. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" (1 Tim 6:17). "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." (Matt. 6:19). Our wealth is not secured and permanent as nobody can fully protect our wealth. Let not our precious souls be ruled by money. Let us not be haughty and derive confidence and security from money and material possessions.

4) Do not forget God when we become rich and prosperous - People are prone to stumble and fall when they become rich. When we become prosperous and rich, there is this danger of becoming carnal and materialistic. Complacency sets in, and we forget God. "And houses full of all good things ….; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD ….." (Deut 6:11-12). On the other hand, don’t think that poverty equals spirituality. Be aware that both riches and poverty may become a curse if we are not careful. "Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Pro 30:7-9)

5) "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim 6:6) - This wonderful statement as proclaimed by Apostle Paul is the key to both spiritual and personal fulfilment. If there is true godliness in us, there will be fear of offending God and we will want to do things that please Him. We will know His will and the purpose of life, we will put all our hopes and trust in Him instead of money and wealth, and there will be contentment. Godly contentment is realising that God has already given us all that we need and being grateful to Him. Godliness and contentment go hand in hand. Having godliness with contentment is a great gain. Why? We will not fall into temptations and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts. We must be content and grateful for what we have and own and in whatever situation and state that we are in (Phil 4:11-12).Thank God for godliness and contentment.

6) Lay hold on eternal life – Paul advises us to "lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12, 19), similar to the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; For where treasure is, there will your heart be also."(Matt 6:20 -21). Let us also take heed of the words of Peter "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Pet 1:4). Let us focus our heart on things that matter for securing eternal life in heaven instead of perishable uncertain riches.

7) We cannot serve God and mammon – Jesus said "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24). Mammon means the world and all the material things like money and materialism. If a Christian puts money first in his life, the love of God and spiritual things and his service and devotion to God will fade away. We must make sure that we serve the right master.

Conclusion
Money is like a two-edged sword; it can both sustain life and kill. We use money to keep our bodies alive. However, the love of money causes us to depart from the faith and fall into temptations and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. It is the love of money, not money itself, that is the root of all evil. There is nothing wrong with being rich, but it is when we allow money to control our hearts and become our god to take away our worship, devotion and service to God that we fall into sin. Those who pursue money and wealth insatiably will one day discover that they have nothing because they would be spiritually bankrupt. We must know and obey God’s Word, and by God’s grace we will be kept away from the love of money. Amen.