The Root Of All Evil

 The Root Of All Evil

A Deeper Meaning 

 

 

“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

People often misquote it as “money” is the root of all evil.

But it’s not.

Money is a tool. Like a hammer or a gun. It can be used for good or evil.

But, the verse says “the love of money”

Then it says is the “root”.

And here is where the key lies. 

Things are going to get a little twisty here, so hang on.

A root supports a plant and helps feed it and waters it. A root draws moisture from the soil so the plant can live. No roots. No plant.

You can grow a plant with artificial light and without soil in water. But without roots the plant dies.

So, what happens? People start to do evil things. After a while they discover that they can do more evil, and enjoy it more. If they have more money.

So, the demon guiding these thoughts and actions starts to develop a love for the money which is helping to support the evil actions.

When we do evil, we are tempted by demonic forces which plays on our corrupted nature and our flesh. They get us to act in an evil way. When we do, it opens a door making it easier for the demonic to tempt us further.

That is how it works. It even works that way for Christians. Satan tempts us and we listen and fall into sin. Pretending like you are immune to this process is dangerous. As believers we have power through the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus, but the scriptures warn us of our enemy Satan for a reason. (1 Peter 5:8)

When I say evil, we often think of serial killers and child molesters. But, I am referring to The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life. (1 John 2:15-17)

The Lust of the Flesh leads to the sins described in Galatians

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5)

The Lust of the Eyes, are covetousness. You want what others have. You want what is physical instead of spiritual. You want treasures on Earth instead of treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)

The Pride of Life, is basically trying to keep up with the Jones. You want to look good to others, you want the best job and clothes and car and home, so you can show off to others, and prove you made it. You love going back to the High School reunion so you can show how well you have done, and to see how much weight Sally SpecialGal has put on.

Many of these sins are very subtle. You might be able to argue them away or act like its not that bad. You might even go to a church where this is never taught.

But, all evil and sin is equal. There is not a degree of better sins. (James 2:10)

We think these sorts of things all the time and do not even realize it. This is because we have a corrupted nature and need Jesus to save us. We cannot keep it all straight.

We know we should give to others and help build the kingdom. But, we want our McDonald’s coffee too. We know we should help the neighbor and tell them about the Lord, but we have kids soccer practice, then cheer, then the ballgame. We really hope little Johnny can get that scholarship, so he can go to the really important school and have a career that pays well.

None of this is evil, but it can open doors and creep along, until we notice that it has been years, and we never did anything to build treasures in heaven. We got the brass ring at work, but we lost our soul and our kids are ruined.

We try to do everything but we end up being double minded and trying to serve God or do right, while trying to succeed in life. We make the choice to serve money and profit, instead of God and do not even realize we had a choice.

That is life. We fight to keep our families together and our marriages together in the midst of a world that strives to destroy us. We see lust every where and hear of God no where.

Do you understand?

All of this opens doors for demonic influence. It gives the enemy a chance to work in our lives, and compete with what God is doing.

So, we lust for things. We lust for more. We lust for power.

So, guess what helps us achieve these things?

Money.

We understand this even if we don’t realize it. Money provides us with the things we lust after.

So, Satan develops a love for money or a desire for more money, or a fear of not having enough money, in us. In order to feed those lusts or evils.

Do you understand.

That’s why 1 Timothy says to be content with what we have. (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

The love of money is the root which feeds the growth of all the evil or lusts in our lives, just like roots feed plants.

But it doesn’t stop there, because it grows into greed which impacts our culture, society and world.

We have people with five homes while others walk the streets with nothing. We have people who own land larger than a small country, while others get chased off park benches. We have billionaires with more money than entire countries, where kids die from disease due to unclean water.

All of it is greed and a love of money. Our system even thrives on people loving money, and looking after their own self interests, while telling themselves how altruistic they are, while getting tax breaks.

The system forces people to enslave themselves to the wealthy so they can earn a few pennies and struggle to get rich themselves. People dream of winning the lottery so they quit being a slave, and tell their boss where to go.

We all do it. We are all a part of the wicked system whether we like it or admit it or not.

Trust me, I tried for years to stay out, but it becomes impossible to live. You can go off grid. You can hide in a cave with your wife and kids for decades. But eventually the system will catch you. Your wife and kids will want to connect. Your grandkids will want to connect. The authorities will demand that you obey certain rules, or go to jail or lose your kids.

It’s part of the last days scenario and the Love of Money helps feed it. That is why we need Jesus. We cannot win. We cannot save ourselves. We can stop sinning in one place, and it pops up in other ways in our lives. That is why we need to turn to the Lord, and let Him saves us and help us to overcome.

When the Lord returns He says “What you’ve done to the least of these you have done to me.” (Matt. 25:31-46)

When we listen to the Lord and let Him work in our life we find ourselves helping others, spreading the Gospel and being content with what we have. We trust God more.

I’m not saying we should all be poor. But, we can be content and let the Lord do what He desires in our lives.

The Bible warns about wealth, and if you have ever had money you know that the responsibilities of it builds up. (1 Tim. 6:9)

Jesus said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mark 10:25)

Why?

Because when we have wealth we tend to turn to our money, instead of to God. We are tempted to forget the need we have for Him. So, we do not turn to Him. We do not seek Him. We do not see Him working in our life, and we do not grow in faith.

When you have nothing but God, you see Him answer prayers and your faith grows. You really believe, because you have seen. But, if you have money you can just pay to have your problem solved, and never see the deep workings of the Lord.

I’m not saying rich people cannot be saved. I’m saying wealth works against it. If it’s not bad for the person, then possibly for their kids who grew up rich and have never needed to cry out to God for anything.

Remember, wealth is relative. A middle class American is richer than most of the world’s population. Do not think you are poor, until you see real poverty.

The answer is to be content. Live a minimalist life and be content serving the Lord.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.“— 1 Tim. 6:6-8

The Lord can help us to overcome. If we turn to Him and ask.

Because please understand that in these last days, we are heading in to, our desire for the things of this world, and our lack of trust in God, will be used to destroy and overcome us.

When the Mark of the Beast comes, and you cannot pay your bills, or buy food, or clothes or anything. (Rev. 13)

Will you be content with a dirty blanket on a park bench with a bag of Cheetos, while your kids beg?

Or will you sell your soul and get the Mark.

The Love of money is the root, which feeds the beast. It feeds your lusts, and the greed of the world.

Learn contentment. Praise the lord and thank Him for what you have. learn to say no to desires. Fasting will help.

Turn to the Lord in all things and remember He is the only way to be saved, and He holds you in His hand.

---

Cover photo by pexels.