What is the meaning of the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil?
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” means love for money drives people to commit various sins like theft, murder, and corruption, without regard for right or wrong. Both unbelievers and some Christians fall into this trap. History and current events clearly show how the pursuit of money has led many into serious sin and ruin, just as 1 Timothy 6:10 warns.
1 Timothy 6:10 says, “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.” This is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. Some mistakenly quote it as ‘money is the root of all evil. ’ Money is like the key you need to open your door, or like the phone you need to contact others. Money is more of a tool and a means to an end.
To speak frankly, money is good because life on this earth depends on it so much; you need money to cater for your needs, fulfill your responsibilities, and access important services. Since money is the medium of exchange in this world, you cannot live without it. Therefore, the saying ‘Money is the root of all evil’ is wrong and not biblical, for the Bible does not say that at all.
Though we can deduce from real life that money is good, the Bible teaches that the love of it is evil, and there is much historical and present evidence for it. In real life, we see that not all sins are motivated by the love of money. E.g., Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, and Herodias killed John out of hatred. We can see that the love of money is not the single cause of all sins on this earth. Therefore, we have many causes of sin or many roots of sin; examples are lust, pride, hatred, fear, the love of money, etc.
In 1 Timothy 6:10, the King James Version says “the love of money is the root of all evil,” which can be misunderstood as claiming money is the sole cause of all sin—contradicting other Scriptures that show sin has many sources. The English Standard Version translates it more accurately: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils,” meaning it is one of several causes of sin, which aligns better with the rest of the Bible.
Examples of the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil
1. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for money
Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is one of the historical figures who pierced himself with many sorrows because of his love for money. Judas was the treasurer of Jesus’ ministry who kept all the donations they received from people. However, his love for money made him dishonest in his duty, for he was stealing from the ministry. (John 12:4-6).
Knowing how much the Jewish leaders hated Jesus, he took advantage of the situation to collect 30 pieces of silver from them so that he could betray Jesus, and he did (Matthew 26:15). Afterward, he became apostate; he could not return to the disciples and was cut off. In the end, he could not even enjoy the money he craved, as he took his own life in deep remorse. The love of money in Judas’s life drove him to become:
- A thief—he stole from the money box.
- A traitor—he betrayed Jesus for money.
- An apostate—he broke his relationship with God.
- A murderer—he betrayed Jesus to death and killed himself.
The love of money gave birth to many sins in his life. Truly, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Judas’s suicide confirms that those who love money pierce themselves through with many sorrows.
2. A newlywed killed her husband in order to collect insurance money
A newly married woman was convicted of soliciting the murder of her firefighter husband, whom she had married just four months earlier. Motivated by the love of money, she plotted his death to collect his $100,000 life insurance policy.
She involved her 17-year-old daughter’s boyfriend, asking him to find someone to kill her husband. Unbeknownst to her, the insurance beneficiary had not yet been changed from the ex-wife to her, so when he was killed, the ex-wife received the money. Testimony revealed that the accused gave the boyfriend a $1,000 down payment. The boyfriend contacted his cousin, who failed to execute the plan and then turned to another person.
Prosecutors said the killer ambushed the victim and shot him four times as he returned home from picking up fast food the wife had requested. On August 8, 2017, the court sentenced the woman to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Driven by the love of money, she was found guilty of:
- Aggravated murder
- Conspiracy
- Felonious assault, and other charges
It was the love of money that led her and four accomplices to commit murder and other crimes, confirming that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Since they were caught and sentenced, it proves the truth of the saying that those who love money pierce themselves through with many sorrows. This is one of many cases where a spouse kills for money.
3. A young man attempted to kill his mother for a money ritual
In another report, a 29-year-old man attempted to kill his mother for money rituals. He lived with his mother and nephew in the same house. On August 11, 2018, he went to his mother’s provision store and asked her to meet him inside the house for an important discussion. At the same time, he sent his nephew to buy a white handkerchief and a cigarette. When his mother entered the house, he attacked her, hitting her head with a plank, a pressing iron, and a UPS charger to ensure she did not survive.
When the nephew returned and didn’t find his grandmother at the store, he entered the house and found her lying in a pool of blood. Shocked, he raised an alarm that attracted neighbors. The police were called, arrested the suspect, and secured the scene for investigation. The victim was rushed to the hospital and was found barely clinging to life.
This case is one of many where people attempt to use others for money rituals. The love of money makes some people lose all sense of judgment, willing to take the lives of their own mothers, fathers, children, or other innocent people. Those who commit such acts destroy their own lives, living in fear, regret, and unrest, often haunted until their miserable lives come to an end. Truly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, leading people to commit outrageous sins and bringing many troubles upon themselves.
4. A woman killed her lover for his money
This is the story of Melissa – a young woman who lived a double life. To many, she appeared to be a decent, god-fearing Christian girl, but in reality, she was a prostitute capable of murder. She met a Christian young man who fell in love with her, and they married. On the second day of their honeymoon, she confessed to her husband that she had been working as a prostitute. Though hurt, he chose not to divorce her. They had two daughters and lived a simple life.
However, she grew dissatisfied with their quiet life. She wanted more – a bigger house, more money, and excitement. She told her husband she would return to prostitution, working in a brothel on weekends. Despite his efforts to stop her, she resumed her old lifestyle, staying out with clients while her husband took care of the children.
Eventually, she began seeing a wealthy businessman named Sam and told her husband she planned to exploit his finances. Her husband then left her, taking the children with him. Melissa moved in with Sam and convinced him to make her a company director with access to his bank account. Wanting all his money, she hired one of her lovers to kill him with a crowbar. The attempt failed when a neighbor intervened, though Sam was badly injured.
Three months later, she arranged another hit. This time, the hitman shot Sam ten times at close range while he lay in bed. He died before help arrived. Melissa was arrested, charged, and convicted of his murder. This story clearly shows the destructive power of the love of money. Melissa became a prostitute, adulteress, and murderer because of it. Truly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Conclusion
People who love money, Christians and unbelievers alike, inevitably, stain their hands with many sins and they suffer the consequences thereof. The word of God, the verses of the Scriptures, is true. The Scriptures are fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of other people every day. Unfortunately, for the most part, we do not take notice of them.