Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:10
Contrary to what many say, money is not the root of all evil. That perception comes from a misquoting of today’s Bible verse, 1 Timothy 6:10, which actually says, “For the love
of money is the root of all evil…”
Properly managed, money is a valuable asset. Money can be used to buy food, clothes, and other necessities. It can pay for shelter, heat, water and electricity.
Money can be used to show God and His love to others. Money can by food for the hungry, blankets and clothing for the cold, medicine for the sick, and Bibles and other books for the spiritually deprived.
God expects us to use our money – and all our other belongings and abilities – wisely. Budgets, savings accounts, price comparisons, and other money management tools can help us manage our money well.
While money isn’t the root of all evil, “loving money is the root of all evil” (emphasis added). When you love money so much that you selfishly horde it and refuse to use it to help others or further God’s plans, money controls your life. Nothing, including money, should have that much power over you. When it does, it has taken the place in your life that belongs exclusively to God.
Loving money also means that you are trusting it more than you trust God. God has promised that He will always be with those who have claimed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He will take care of us and provide for us. Therefore, there is no need to make money the focus of our lives.
Are you learning to manage the money that God has allowed you to have or is it managing you?
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that you’ve given me everything that I have. Teach me to use it wisely. Teach me, also, to trust on your never-ending presence in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.