Money is Not the Root of Evil or Satisfaction

Friday - March 12th

Devotionals from the Book of James

Scripture to Read Today: James 5:1-6

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The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

And some people, craving money, have wandered

from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10 NLT

1 Timothy 6:10 is one of the most misquoted verses from the Bible. Christians tend to quote it inaccurately as much as non-Christians. People leave "the love" out when they share the text with others. "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" becomes "money is the root of all kinds of evil." The two little words make a huge difference in understanding what the Apostle Paul was saying to Timothy.

Money itself is not the root of all kinds of evil. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. Just having money, having wealth does not produce sin in our lives. Paul makes it clear that it is "craving money" that causes people to wander. They wander from the truth and into all kinds of evil.

Notice that a person does not even have to have a lot of money - or any money at all. Loving it and craving it can happen without possessing it. I have known very wealthy people who do not demonstrate a love or craving for money. They are content in Christ, not their riches. I have also known people who were very poor but craved money, and it ruined them.

James issues a stern warning for us regarding the dangers of wanting wealth and being willing to harm others to get it. When we get discontent with what we have, it is easy to crave what we don't have and believe it will bring fulfillment. We believe the lie that having more, bigger, and better stuff will bring us the contentment for which we long. We will do anything - even all kinds of evil to get it.

In Philippians 4:12, the Apostle Paul states that he had experienced times of great financial blessing and times of great financial crisis. He said, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." No matter what his situation was, Paul had learned to be content. His contentedness came from the security of his relationship with Christ. When we find our satisfaction and meaning in the Lord, we won't crave something more. He will be our contentedness (like Paul) in whatever financial state we find ourselves.

When you fully love Jesus, you have no room to love or crave wealth. Where is the focus of your love? On Jesus? On Money? Ask God to show you what you truly crave.

When the focus of your love is on Christ, it cannot be on the riches of this world!