Twisted Scripture - Week 8

1 Timothy 6:10

Raise your hand if you have heard this saying before “money is the root of all evil”? Today’s passage is one that many people have misquoted and misused over the years. I personally have heard so many people (mostly unbelievers) who have hardly if ever picked up a Bible and read it say that “money is the root of all evil”. But not only is that a misquoting of the verse, it is also completely taking it out of context (which should not surprise us as it is very easy to take something out of context that wasn’t quoted correctly). So is money evil? Is having lots of money evil? Are rich people bad simply because of their money? Lets look at the full context.

I. What is the Context of this Passage?

The book of 1 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy, who at the time was a young pastor still learning how to be an effective minister of God.

All throughout this Epistle, Paul warns Timothy to be wary of people who would misuse Scripture for their own personal gain or to justify their sin and this passage goes right along with that theme.

As a young preacher, Paul knew that Timothy would be susceptible to the deceitful tactics of these heretics and therefore wanted Timothy to be ready and on guard against these men.

Here in Chapter 6, Paul concludes his 1st Epistle to Timothy by talking about the subject of money and riches and how it relates to the faith.

He first instructs Timothy to “withdraw” himself from certain men and “preachers” who either blatantly ignore God’s Word or twist and misuse it for their own personal benefit. (V. 3-5)

Notice in verse 5 how he says that these men “suppose that gain is godliness”. These are men who preach and teach that godliness is a means of gain, or in other words, the motivation for living godly is so that God will give you the things you want.

These kinds of men are still around in our day and age and unfortunately, they often have the largest crowds and the most exposure.

But Godliness is not a means of gain. We do not serve God “in order to” but we serve God “because of”. This is why we must avoid “prosperity gospel” preachers and the “name it and claim it” theology. Because they are rooted in a false ideology that we serve God so that He will give us the things that we want.

God is NOT a Genie in a Bottle or a fairy god-mother here to grant your every wish. He is an Almighty, All-Wise, All-Knowing King of Kings and Lord of Lords that will do as HE wills, not as YOU will.

Then in Verse 6, Paul realizes that Timothy may be a little confused now at this point about Godliness and Gain so he clears it up for him. Godliness coupled with contentment IS great gain.

Whats the difference then? Believing that Godliness is a means to gain is the belief that we serve God in order to gain something from Him.

But Godliness with contentment is the belief that I will serve God and be content with what He gives me as a result. And this in and of itself is not just gain, but GREAT gain.

The difference lies in where your focus is. The first belief is rooted in selfishness, the 2nd is rooted in contentment in Christ and humble service to Him. (Philippians 4:11-13)

What does contentment look like?

Understanding that we came into this world with nothing, and we will leave this world with nothing. Not having our focus on temporal, material things (v. 7)

Being satisfied with having your needs met and not looking for fulfillment in material things (v. 8)

Notice that it does not say that having material things are a BAD thing, but simply that we should not seek fulfillment in obtaining those things.

II. What is this Passage Really Saying?

Verse 9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare...” Paul here speaks of those who have a desire for riches.

Poor people are not the only ones who desire to be rich. Even those with lots of money can desire to be even more rich.

This does not include people who are trying to make more money in order to provide for their families or give their families a comfortable life. This speaks to someone who is pursuing riches as a means of fulfillment. Someone who’s life’s goal is to have much riches.

Notice what the pursuit of riches will do to a person (v. 9-10)

Temptations, snares, foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. While some have coveted after, they have erred from (been seduced away from) the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

And all of this is why in verse 10 it says “for the LOVE of money is the root of all evil...”

The key word that many leave out is the word “Love”. Money in and of itself will not corrupt a man, but the love of it will.

There were many godly men in the Bible who were unbelievably rich: David, Solomon, Job, etc

Why does he say that it is the “root of all evil”? Because all kinds of sinful and awful things have been done in the name of obtaining money

This phrase could also be translated as “all kinds of evil”. So it doesnt necessarily mean that money is behind every evil that’s ever happened, but rather that money can be and is a motivation for all KINDS of evil.

Paul is warning Timothy and all of us to be careful not to fall in love with money and try to find satisfaction or fulfillment in riches because there are dire consequences to it.

Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight and not be distracted by trivial things such as riches (v. 11-16)

at the end of our lives, we will stand before God and give an account for what we did with the life He gave us. At this moment, the amount of money you had on earth will mean absolutely nothing! Live for God because you want to have a good judgment day, NOT because you want Him to make you rich!

Paul concludes with a challenge to those in the church who ARE rich. (V. 17-19)

Yet more proof that being rich is not a bad thing. He didnt speak badly of them, he only challenged them not to make money the thing they trust in.

III. How Can We Apply This Passage?