Is Money the Root of All Evil?
There are pastors out there who will claim becoming rich with money is a curse and will lead to a life of hell. These types of pastors generally aren’t known for being evil, but they aren’t known for being rich either.
Then it goes to the other extreme side of the spectrum, where you have pastors exclaiming the prosperity gospel! These rich pastors will usually swear that God will bless his believers with riches and glory so long as they donate more money to the pastor.
With so much confusion in Christianity… who’s right?
This is a hot topic that has endured the test of time. As we can find people dating as far back to the Bible, still discussing whether or not ‘money is the root of all evil.’
This is not just a modern question; it’s an ancient one.
No matter what people say however, let’s get this straight beforehand: money is not the root of all evil.
Who knows who first published the theory that, ‘money is the root of all evil…’
No one does.
But from a Biblical standpoint, there is no evidence to suggest that money is the root of all evil.
I’ve read the Bible 3 times cover to cover now. And I have yet to find anywhere in the Bible where it clearly states that money is the root of all evil.
Now, let’s dive into the truth as to why money is not the root of all evil. Plus, be shocked about what Jesus has to say about money.
1) Money Is Just a Tool

Money in and of itself is just a neutral tool. Nothing more. Nothing less. Money helps to pay for your living expenses, clothes, groceries, etc… It is a necessary tool you must use to be able to live on a daily basis.
Money can be likened to a knife; a tool. You can use a knife to cut vegetables and to cook a wholesome meal (good), or a knife can be used to commit acts of violence (evil). So then, is it fair to now label a knife as pure evil as well?
No! That’s ridiculous. This same logic applies to money.
Money can be used to help others less fortunate to eat a nutritious meal if you donate. Money can rent out lodging for those who are in need of a place to sleep at night.
This same money can enable you to buy drugs, fast cars, and live a life filled with gluttony and vices. You can use money to engage in illegal activities that harm the lives of others.
You can see how money is just a tool. Used in the right way, money can be classified as good. It’s what you do with the money that will determine if you are doing good or evil.
2) The Rich and the Eye of a Needle

Many people will point to the verse found in Matthew 19:16-24, and claim that Jesus said rich people will not enter into the Kingdom of God.
Here’s how the story from the Book of Matthew goes:
A rich man approaches Jesus and asks how he can attain eternal life.
Jesus then asks the rich man if he has kept all the Commandments. To this, the rich man replies ‘yes’ that he has.
Then Jesus commanded the rich man to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. Once the rich man has completed doing this task, he is to come back and start following Jesus.
Upon hearing this, the rich man became sad because he had great wealth, and walked away.
Then Jesus explains from this event how it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven.
Even Jesus’ disciples became shocked. They asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replies:
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
So we can see here that a rich man could technically enter into the kingdom of heaven, since with God all things are possible. But, it would just be a bit tougher to do. Since we know many rich servants from the Bible who died, and went up to heaven.
3) 1 Timothy 6:10

Another common verse people will misquote is 1 Timothy 6:10. As it reads, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Yet, nowhere in this verse does it say ‘money is the root of all evil.’ The verse says, ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Can you spot the difference between the two?
“For money is the root of all evil.”
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
We can clearly see that only uneducated people will remove parts of 1 Timothy 6:10 and claim that all forms of money are the root of all evil.
We all like money. Who doesn’t?
But, do I love money say… more than God?
No.
Do I love money more than my family?
Again, the answer is No.
So technically, I do not love and serve money in the full sense. I love my God more than I love money. I love my family more than I love money.
4) What Jesus Said About Money

As Jesus said before:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
– Matthew 6:24
If you love God more than you love money, you ultimately serve God and not money.
Money is my servant. I am not a servant of money.
Therefore it is not evil nor a sin to use money if God is your Ultimate Master.
5) Parables of the Bags of Gold

I was shocked the first time I had ever heard Jesus preach this parable. I thought, ‘how could Jesus preach such a thing if so many people around the world claim money is evil?’
Here’s how the Parable of Bags of Gold goes (Matthew 25:14-30):
A master entrusts 3 of his servants with bags of gold. Each servant is given an amount of gold according to his abilities.
The 1st servant finds a way to invest the five bags of gold given unto him. He’s able to eventually earn 5 more bags of gold with the master’s money.
The 2nd servant invests the two bags of gold that were given to him. He is able to earn 2 more bags of gold with the master’s money.
The 3rd servant hides the one bag of gold entrusted to him. He makes no effort to double the master’s money.
When the master returns from his trip he becomes furious with the 3rd servant, calling him ‘wicked and lazy.’ Then he orders his men to kick the 3rd servant out of the master’s estate, where there will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.
Jesus essentially tells us that if we don’t use our talents which involve money to make our lives better, we will not be able to live a good life.
This was a tough one to digest, but that is what Jesus had to say about money. There’s nothing anyone can really say to twist Jesus’ words regarding money. Jesus preached that everyone should learn how to use money in the right way.
Now What?
Clearly we see from the abundance of evidence from the Bible; money is not the root of all evil. People who still claim that ‘money is the root of all evil’ have a poor relationship to money, and even a poorer understanding of the Bible.
If you want to Thrive While You Survive, you’ll have to embrace money into your life and use it as a necessary tool. As long as money is never #1 in your life, you can’t go wrong. Put God and other things like family above money and you’ll come out on top.
Let me just finish by saying this…
Even if others read this and realize the truth, there will always be radical Christians that claim money is still evil, or that investing in the stock market is a form of baal worship.
A lot of these people don’t know their own Scriptures really… it’s amazing. At the end of the day, would you rather listen to Jesus on money? or some random quack soul on the internet?