It’s never the tree – it’s always the root that is the problem

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Application: Paul continues his warning about riches in this section, and brings the focus onto the real issue. Money is never the really the issue, it is just the excuse we use for many of our struggles and problems. Paul points out it is our approach to money that opens the door to all kinds of evils. He connects two thoughts that illustrate the tension that leads to wandering from the faith. He tells us that φιλαργυρία philarguría - a lover of money has the root that leads to evil. This word is also tied to the word for covetousness. When we tie this statement to the next statement that describes the mind set we can see where the problem lies. Paul states that this individual “longs” for money.. 

The Greek word is ὀρέγω orégō; Literally, to stretch out especially with the hands, to snatch. In the NT to stretch oneself, reach after something, and hence metaphorically meaning to covet, long after, desire, try to gain^[1]

The intensity is clear, this person is driven to gain money, it controls his focus and his heart. This is why the word “root” is used, another way to put this is that the desire for money is the origin of all kind of evils. We would do well to heed the warning here because we all use money and even like money, but must guard from stepping over that line into craving and stretching after it. The scripture is blunt here, this hunger will not lead to just one problem in our life, but will lead to all sorts of evil. The deeper we get pulled into this hunger the greater the chance is that we will leave the faith. Once that happens we place ourselves in the path of both the Father’s chastening hand and worse, the enemies schemes. We should never take lightly how we handle money, it can always work its way into our flesh. It brings so much temporal comfort and pleasure, not to mention empowerment, that it can lull our spirit asleep. Before we know it we might be serving it instead of it serving us. When that happens we have a golden idol in our life that tries to take the throne of our God. Father, give us wisdom in how we handle money and help us to always see it as a tool and a slave to be used for Your glory. Thank You for the money You give us, make us worthy stewards of it.

Meditation Questions: How much time do you spend thinking about money? What makes up those thoughts: worry, plans, goals, craving? When you think of money what is the first thought you have? If God made you rich what do you think you would do? What are you doing with your money right now? Are you thanking God for where He has you economically right now? How much of your prayer life is thanking God for Who He is versus asking for things?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.