1 Timothy 6:10
“…money is the root of all evil….”
This is the most misquoted bible verse of all time! Some would even go as far to say that is is a reason for not having wealth and the cause for any struggles faced by many. But instead of going back to the source to determine the actual scripture, it has been presented generation after generation as it is written above and taken as fact. There is, however, more to this verse. If you don’t believe me go and grab your bible!
1 Timothy 6:10
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
This bible verse has more to do with we value in our hearts and less to do with money! In his book, Smart Money Moves for African Americans Kelvin Boston give 21 of the most misconceptions that that society has about how they are to handle their finances. Even author Dave Ramsey debunks this myth in his book The Total Money Makeover. Mr. Ramsey goes on to say that one of the three things that money is good and intended for is to “give it away” in service of Gods people.
Money is not evil! Money is a merely a means of exchange. A tool for your to use to secure your own livelihood. But the moment that you covet money over all else, is when God has an issue.There are many other verses in the bible that tell us that God wants us to have money, or to have “life more abundantly”.
Still don’t believe me? It’s okay, some beliefs are so ingrained in us that it takes some re-engineering of the mind to fully comprehend that it is just silly! In the book Everything the bible says about money, the author lays it all out for you, from paying taxes to what money is good for. The book reminds us that we are called to serve others to be “fishers of men” we cannot do that if we are not financially secure in our own lives. One pastor put it like this, “One of the best ways that, as Christians, we can help the poor, is to not be poor ourselves”.
Action for the week!
Take a look at your beliefs about money. Are they keeping your from where you want to be? Start to debunk your money myths.
Resources
Dave Ramsey – The Total Money Makeover
Kelvin Boston – Smart Money Moves for African Americans
Everything the bible says about money
Corey Stokes 