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When it comes to money, people often quote I Timothy 6:10:

"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."

Growing up, I used to hear people quote this verse and say, "Money is evil."

Is money evil? No. In fact, God gives us money to meet our daily needs and to help others. Money in and of itself is not evil. We have to make money to survive. Businesses wouldn't last if they didn't bring in revenue. Non-profits wouldn't survive if people didn't give. Money keeps things moving.

The danger is when we begin to love money. We begin to make money our master.

 money is our master

Check out these two Bible passages on the warning of loving money:

Hebrews 13:5 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

Luke 16:13 -- "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." -- Jesus

Notice the theme: don't love money. Keep your life free from always wanting more. The moment you make your life about the dollar, the moment things will fall apart.

Let me be clear: to desire something is not always bad. I desire to make money so I could give more money away, pay for my kids' college, weddings, and their activities, and save for retirement. These are healthy and good desires. 

Desiring is okay, over-desiring is not. I could desire a delicious steak, but if I over-desired steak to the point of eating it every day, I would gain 5 pounds in a week. Desiring to make a difference is great, but if all I thought about was being successful, I would get a massive ego. Desiring to feel great through exercising is terrific, but if all my time is spent at the gym, I would neglect other responsibilties and relationships.

money 2

Money is not evil. Desiring money for good reasons is not evil. Loving and over-desiring money is where things get hairy. Watch out! 

 

 

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