By Beth Jones

Is money evil? Aren't most of the world's problems revolved around money?

Let's look at the classic Scripture most often referred to in 1 Timothy.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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 ...

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:8-10, 17-19)

What do we learn? It's clear that money is not evil, but rather the love of money is the root of all evil. Think about it. Money is neutral. It's neither evil nor good. It's what we do with money that makes it evil or good. Money is simply a tool for doing good or evil. Money in the hands of a godly person with generous motives is a good thing, not evil. Money in the hands of an ungodly person with wicked motives is clearly a bad thing, evil. The money is neutral, it's the heart condition of the person who has the money that is the issue. Is our heart loving and trusting in money, or loving and trusting in God?

Poor and rich alike can set their affections on money rather than the Lord. If you're broke, it can be tempting to begin to trust and love money and see wealth as your ticket out of poverty, rather than loving and trusting the Lord as your deliverer. If you're a millionaire, it can be tempting to begin to love and trust your wealth as your ticket to enjoy the self-absorbed life of luxury, rather than also being generous in giving to gospel works around the world.

Live Generously ... Enjoy Life and Give to the Poor

Is money evil? No. The issue, the root of all evil is the heart condition of each person. Keep your heart in the right place by loving God and using money as a tool for His purposes.

For further study, I recommend my book, "Getting a Grip on the Basics of Prosperous Living."

Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.