The Love of Money: Root of All Evils

The Love of Money: Root of All Evils

Money isn't evil. But the love of it? According to the Word of God, it’s the root of all evils. Not some. Not most. All. And we need to stop softening what Scripture says.

The Greek Says It All

1 Timothy 6:10 (Greek):

Ρίζα γὰρ πὰντων τ῱ν κακῳν ἐστιν ἕ φιλαργυρία.

Transliteration: Rhiza gar pantōn tōn kakōn estin hē philargyria.

Literal Translation: “The love of money is the root of all evils.”

Most modern translations soften this:

• "a root of all kinds of evil" (NLT, ESV)

But that’s not what it says. Paul uses ρίζα (rhiza) – the root, singular. He uses πὰντων τ῱ν κακῳν (pantōn tōn kakōn) – all evils, plural, universal.

Is Paul using hyperbole? Perhaps. But if he is, it’s to drive home a deeply dangerous point: greed is not a minor sin. It’s a universal corrupter.

"But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:9, NLT)

This isn't just about money. It’s about lust for control, status, security, and identity through wealth. And Scripture pulls no punches.

You Cannot Serve God and Mammon

Matthew 6:24 (NLT):

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."

Greek: μαμμῳνας (mamōnas), Strong's G3126

This word was often personified as a false god. Jesus isn’t talking about coins in your hand; He's talking about who owns your heart.

The Danger of False Blessings

Many today assume financial success is a sign of God's blessing. But Jesus and Paul warn otherwise.

Luke 12:15 (NLT):

"Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT):

*"Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'"

We must stop equating prosperity with piety. Often, it's just another form of idolatry.

The Prosperity Gospel Is a Lie

Paul wasn't vague. In the same passage where he warns about greed, he rebukes those who twist the gospel to gain wealth:

1 Timothy 6:5 (LEB):

"... people who suppose that godliness is a means of gain."

Sound familiar? This isn’t just misguided. It’s a mark of false teaching.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT):

"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable... Tell them to use their money to do good... By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."

Wealth isn’t sinful. But trusting it is.

Judgment for the Greedy

Revelation 3:17 (NLT):

*"You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!' And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked."

This church thought they were blessed. But they were bankrupt in the eyes of God.

Ephesians 5:5 (NLT):

"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world."

1 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT):

"Thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusive people, and swindlers—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God."

Context Note: These passages list greed side-by-side with sexual sin and violence. It's not a soft sin.

Final Word: Don’t Just Avoid It. Flee.

1 Timothy 6:11 (NLT):

"But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."

Run. Don’t flirt with the edge. Don't baptize greed and call it stewardship. Don’t slap God’s name on Mammon's altar.