Topical Bible: Love of Money

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The "love of money" is a concept addressed in the Bible, often highlighting the spiritual dangers and moral pitfalls associated with an excessive desire for wealth. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, serving as a caution against allowing material wealth to overshadow one's devotion to God.

Biblical References

One of the most direct references to the love of money is found in 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This verse underscores the idea that an inordinate affection for money can lead individuals away from their faith and result in personal and spiritual harm.

In the teachings of Jesus, the love of money is often juxtaposed with the pursuit of righteousness. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus declares, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Here, the incompatibility of serving both God and wealth is emphasized, suggesting that a divided allegiance can lead to spiritual compromise.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament also addresses the dangers of wealth and the love of money. Proverbs 11:28 warns, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This proverb highlights the transient nature of wealth and the enduring value of righteousness. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless." The pursuit of wealth is portrayed as ultimately unfulfilling and futile.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The love of money is often linked to various moral and spiritual issues, such as greed, idolatry, and a lack of contentment. In Colossians 3:5, believers are instructed to "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Greed, driven by the love of money, is equated with idolatry, indicating that it can take the place of God in one's heart.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the folly of placing trust in material wealth. The rich man, who hoards his abundance without regard for God or others, is called a fool when his life is unexpectedly required of him. This parable serves as a stark reminder of the temporal nature of earthly riches and the importance of being "rich toward God."

Practical Guidance

The Bible offers practical guidance for those seeking to avoid the pitfalls of the love of money. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Contentment, rooted in trust in God's provision, is presented as an antidote to the love of money.

Additionally, the early church provides a model of generosity and communal sharing, as seen in Acts 4:32-35, where believers shared their possessions to ensure that no one among them was in need. This spirit of generosity stands in contrast to the self-centeredness often associated with the love of money.

Conclusion

The love of money, as depicted in the Bible, is a significant spiritual concern that can lead to various forms of moral and spiritual decay. Through its teachings, Scripture calls believers to prioritize their relationship with God over material wealth, to practice contentment, and to cultivate a spirit of generosity.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

5365. philarguria -- love of money, avarice
... love of money, avarice. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philarguria
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) Short Definition: love of money ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5365.htm - 6k

866. aphilarguros -- without love of money
... without love of money. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aphilarguros Phonetic
Spelling: (af-il-ar'-goo-ros) Short Definition: not loving money, not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/866.htm - 7k

5366. philarguros -- loving money
... 5384 , "lover" and 696 , "of silver") -- properly, a lover of money (literally,
silver) -- ie someone (literally) "in love with personal gain (having money).". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5366.htm - 7k

Library

How Long Standing an Evil Love of Money Is...
... Chapter XXVI. How long standing an evil love of money is? How long standing an evil
love of money is, is plain from many examples in the Old Testament. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxvi how long standing.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... 17. I charge you, therefore, my children, not to love money, nor to gaze upon the
beauty of women; because for the sake of money and beauty I was led astray to ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Explanation of "Corban. "
... And the Gospel testifies to their love of money, saying, "But the Pharisees who
were lovers of money heard these things and they scoffed at Him." [5416] If ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 explanation of corban.htm

He.
... the word used by the Apostle is not pleonexia, which occurs in this passage of the
Psalms; but philarguria, by which is signified "love of money." But the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/he.htm

The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.
... thoughtless and hardened hearers; opposition and persecution and temptation still
scorch up the seed in others; and worldliness and love of money still choke ...
/.../the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter vii the parables exemplified.htm

Various Exhortations.
... "But the love of money is the root of all evils." [360] Knowing, therefore, that
"as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out," [361] let ...
/.../the epistle of polycarp to the philippians/chapter iv various exhortations.htm

Of the Engagement Made in Baptism, and of those who have Given ...
... It commends the love of money, of which it is said, The love of money is the root
of all evil; [2774] and which has this evil in especial, that while it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/vi of the engagement made.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... instance only in such Sins which I can assert upon my own Knowledge that most Men
allow themselves, and that upon this account only, because they love Money. ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... Ver.10. "For the love of money is the root ... "The love of money," he says, "is the
root;" thus says Paul, or rather Christ by Paul, and let us see how this is. ...
/.../homily xvii 1 timothy vi.htm

The Use of Money
... "The love of money," we know, "is the root of all evil;" but not the thing itself.
The fault does not lie in the money, but in them that use it. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm