Money Often Makes Life Worse

Sunday - November 14th

Scripture to Read Today: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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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.

1 Timothy 6:10

Money often makes life worse. Lots of money often makes life a whole lot worse. Maybe as you read that statement, you thought to yourself, "I'd like to give it a try to see if that is true." We all believe that if our long-lost uncle died and left us gazillions of dollars unexpectedly, we would do great things with it and that it could only make our lives better. Most of us would say we would give a lot to advance Christ's Kingdom. And maybe we would.

History shows that folks who receive some sort of financial windfall that changes their lives see their lives worsen, not get better with more money. Dozens of articles in magazines and online tell the stories of mega lottery winners who were made extremely rich overnight and how most of the big winners in recent decades all have tragic stories of extreme trials and troubles as a result. In addition, most lottery winners lose their marriages, families, or businesses because of what money does to people.

When talking about wealth and how to handle it, Paul told Timothy, "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" (1 Timothy 6:10). Many inaccurately quote this verse. They say, "Money is the root of all kinds of evil." That is not what the verse says. It says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

Money itself has no moral value. The value is in how it is used and how it is pursued. When greed gets into the human heart, money becomes a controlling factor in our lives whether we have a little or a lot of money.

A lot of money is never enough. More is always needed. When that perspective and passion regarding money become core to one's thinking, money becomes a controlling god. We allow it to affect our relationships, behaviors, and words inappropriately. Money is not evil, but money is a root of all kinds of evil!

When money controls us, life gets worse, not better!