For love of
money, is the root of all evil. (Bishops’ Bible, 1568)
For the desire
of money is the root of all evil. (Geneva Bible, 1587)
For the love of
money is the root of all evil. (King James Version, 1769)
For the love of
money is the root of every evil. (Darby’s Translation, 1884)
1
Timothy 6:10
I think it is because so many
generations of Christians have now grown up in a consumer society that we have
come to see these words of St Paul as a general observation that, like all
generalisations, is not entirely accurate. Many modern translations, like the
English Standard Version that I usually quote, say that the love of money is ‘a
root of all kinds of evils’ but, in view of everything else in the Bible about
money and wealth, I think the traditional translation conveys the truth more
accurately. To see this, we need to look at what the Bible reveals about the
origin of evil.
In Isaiah 14, we read these words
originally attributed to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, but which many think
are applicable to Lucifer, the angel that rebelled against God and became the
devil.
How you are fallen from heaven, O Day
Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations
low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I
will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far
reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will
make myself like the Most High.’
Isaiah 14:12-15
Lucifer did not want to be God but to
be like God: ‘I will make myself like
the Most High’. The ambition of wanting to be like God necessarily includes autonomy,
independence, self-sufficiency and self-aggrandisement. Similar ambition was
behind Nebuchadnezzar’s grand projects to develop Babylon and his desire to
conquer Jerusalem.
Money is what people use to meet
their needs and fulfil their ambitions; it is what they use to get things and
get things done; it is how they make their way in society and make their mark
on history. It is what they devote themselves to when they do not or will not trust
God. This is why the love of money is the root of all evil; it is why, in
James’ letter, the boasting of the Christian business people who made their
plans for prosperity without reference to God is branded not just foolish, arrogant
or sinful but ‘evil’! (See James 4:13-16.)
We live in a society where we are
encouraged to focus our efforts on developing and pursuing business plans,
career paths and life goals. But to what extent might these be deemed ‘evil’?
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Copyright © All Souls Clubhouse Community Centre &
Church and Philip Evans 2012.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry
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These Advent Reflections do not teach personal finance
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