Beautiful Word Devotional #341

For 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 is the root of all evil” is a popular misquote of this verse. Paul wrote that the love of money spawns evil. As he explained, money can subtly but effectively distract us. We can find ourselves wandering away from God.

What is money’s attraction? It is manifold. Money means power and prestige. It can mean influence and status. It establishes a pecking order, provides a false sense of self-worth, and offers a deceptive sense of security. Money can reshuffle our priorities, turn our eyes from God, and pierce us “with many griefs.”

God did not intend money to overshadow the value we have in his eyes or to distract us from the unshakable and eternal security he provides. God gave us money as a tool by which we can, for instance, love him by supporting his church and love others by helping to meet their needs.

Lord, help me to use the money you entrust to me to love you and love others. May I never love the money itself, amen.