“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. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called….” (1Timothy 6:10 – 12)
When a root goes bad in a mature tree it can often affect as much as a quarter to a third of the tree causing branch dieback and defoliation of the leaves. The reason being is one main root has many small to medium roots that break off into even more smaller roots known as feeder roots. When a main root goes bad, and there can be several reasons for this, the effect on the tree can be catastrophic. Even if the dead branches can be pruned away, the result can be disfiguring. The tree becomes out of balance making it susceptible to breakage from high winds. Our native Oak is an example of this, and what is true with trees is also true with us.
In context to the verse the love of money is a “bad root” affecting all our relationships and actions. Why is this? The answer lies in the word “love.” In the Greek there are four distinct words that refer to specific types or degrees of love. We only have one. We say “I love you” to our spouse and kids, but we also say “I love ice cream” using the same word. Though we understand the “love” is different, the English maintains the same word – the Greek does not. The word used to describe “love of money” is “Philarguron.” A compound word with “phileo,” which is the word used for family and “arguros” meaning silver, gold, or money. So do we see the problem? Phileo is reserved only for love between people, but to love money to that same degree then is to elevate money to a platform that it does not belong. It is easy to see the damage that can be done because of the distorted position money has assumed in our life. Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love) has “Phileo” in its name and the only love that is stronger is “Agape,” which is God’s love for us.
So when we take this kind of love and place it with “Arguros” money, instead of with relationships we can see why it is the root of all kinds of evil and why Paul says, “have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Wandered is “apoplaniso, to seduce, lead astray or draw aside from the right course.” Pierced means to be “transfixed, a severe wound, or to be pierced through inflicting injury.” That is the result when loving money is above loving people. Greed is the word we use when so much is done for the love of money. From business decisions, to politics, to people we associate with, even the person we decide to marry, money can be the underlying reason. Money is an idol in our society, a “little god” that we put before The Lord. I have yet to see money stop an argument, make a marriage better, or improve relationships between parent and child. Often it is the problem. It is a poor substitute for friendship and even a poorer substitute for love.
“But you man of God flee from all this….” All that we think money represents or the “emotional fill” that we think it will give us – flee it !!! Peugeo means just that, “make haste, don’t turn back, don’t second guess, change course and do it now! And this is where the problem lies. We turn, but not with conviction. We flee, but leave a trail to the “back door” of our soul. We really are not fully persuaded that The Lord can be all that we need. However, if we do not “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love….etc.,” how will we really know? The word pursue, “dioko, means to press hard after, to pursue with earnestness and diligence IN ORDER TO OBTAIN.” In other words, there should be an expectancy that in seeking God, the source of all life, that I will find life. The very thing I erroneously think money will give me, Father God will fulfill. God says that “in the day when you search for me with all your heart, I will be found by you.” We often put more effort into our jobs or hobbies than we do with God, and quite honestly God deserves better. We have developed a culture of “lazy Christianity,” if it doesn’t come to me like my “Big Mac,” I’m not willing to put forth the effort. The scriptures invite us to come to The Lord “taste and see that The Lord is good, and a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.” He is so worth the effort. He’s worth our best – for He gave us His best. Salvation is a gift that is obtained by faith alone. It cannot be worked for, so let’s be clear, but what you do with your gift, how it manifest itself in you and through you has much to do with the times you spend alone with The Lord. I encourage you, make the effort, get alone, “taste and see that The Lord is good!”
Father God,
There is still more to be shared in this verse. May the truth shared open our eyes to see how we erroneously have substituted our well being and regulated it to money instead of finding life in You. Forgive us Father and give us wisdom to see the errors of our ways. Cause us to understand that You alone possess the life that elevates us and blesses and strengthens all our relationships. Thank you and Amen
Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur