Is Money Evil?

 

Things NOT found in the Bible, part 2

 

Introduction

Growing up as a child of the 70s, one of the phrases I seemed to hear a lot is, “Money is the root of all evil”. Naturally, it is used in regards to someone being obsessed with it or deep in debt. However, when you really think about how we use it daily, the question to ask is, Is money evil?

 

What does the Bible Say?

Normally, I would save this statement for later in the article but I’m sure, by now, that you’ve figured out that there is a similar verse in the bible. In 1 Timothy 6:10, the apostle Paul writes, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

In this verse, you will notice two things different from the statement above. First, Paul says the “love of money” not just money. Second, he states it’s the “root of all kinds of evil” not every form of evil. So, we can conclude that using money, in general, is not evil.

 

The Purpose of Money

Now, no one would think that money, overall, is evil. We use it on a daily basis: we earn a paycheck, we pay bills, we buy groceries, we put money into the collection plate at church, etc. If the original statement was true, then we would be committing sin continually.

Every country has a form of currency; coins or paper notes which are used to exchange for Goods and Services. For example, in Matthew 22, the Pharisees challenged Jesus about paying taxes. Jesus’ response in verse 21 was, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” In other words, pay the taxes that are due.

Another example is found, a few chapters earlier, in Matthew 17 when Jesus was challenged about paying the temple tax. In this example, he said that they, like others, would pay their fair share of taxes; see verses 24-27.

In the letters to the Corinthians, Paul makes a few statements about money in regards to the church; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And again in 2 Cor. 9:7, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

In the examples above, Neither Jesus nor Paul, ever once said that money was evil. They understood its purpose in regards to the law of the land. Paul’s statement essentially meant that you shouldn’t allow money to control your life.

 

Conclusion

In Colossians 3:1-2 Paul writes, If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Don’t let money rule your heart but, rather, let God rule it.

Money is a necessity to function in today’s society, just don’t let it be your ruler. Use it as a tool in your everyday life.