The Root Of All Evil

Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2010

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Introduction:

A. In these verses, I find one of the most intriguing of all Bible statements: “the root of all evil.” When I think of “all evil,” there are so many wicked things in this world that automatically enter my mind: murder, rape, lying, robbery, perverted sex, etc. I could give a very long list of things that are evil but these things are simply the results or fruits of an evil tree and the root of that tree is the love of money. Greed is destroying our nation.

B. Every one of us will certainly agree that money in itself is not evil. It is a necessity. Money of some sort has always been around from simply exchanging necessities through the barter system to the actual currency or coins that we have in our pockets right now. Money has no morality. It is like a loaded gun. You can load a gun, place it on the bed, and walk off and leave it with no fear. It has no morality. It cannot do either good or bad unless it is in the hands of a person.

C. Things only have the morality that we give to them. Be they computers, TV sets, radios, guns, knives, automobiles, or anything else—they are only as good or as evil as we personally make them. Men who preach against the TV set own computers and internet. Men who preach against computers have TV sets and radios. That is why I do not attempt to legislate things because things are not the problem. They can be used for either good or bad. People are the problem and, if they love God, they will neither use nor misuse things in the fulfillment of their lusts.

D. Money in any form is not different. It is a wonderful tool to be used to meet our personal needs as well as to carry on the work of the Lord. When I speak of money as the “root of all evil,” I am speaking of more than just the actual currency or coins in your pocket or in your bank. I am speaking of both the means of getting as well as the way in which money is used. Jobs can become evil when they are put in place of the Lord. Money can become an evil device when it is used to purchase things that are evil. These things are driven by a lust for money.

E. Our text verses speak of the gain of contentment, not the gain of money. Contentment is a rarity in our days. Everyone has so much that nothing satisfies and there is a continual push in society to have more than enough. What is enough? That is a good question that needs to be answered. Our Lord said, “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Not even the mention of lodging. The Apostle Paul quoted the Lord in verse 6 of our text.

F. What constitutes “enough” in the Bible? Food and clothing! There is not one of us here who does not have not only those things but a multitude of other things to go along with it. I want to keep this simple but we need to understand that the “love of money” will destroy us! Verses 9-10 give a vivid description of what can and will happen when money becomes our “god” and God becomes secondary in our lives. Let me give “US” some things that will help.

1. Realize that greed always brings about trouble! Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. (Read verses 9-10 again with me. Less is better, more is worse, and enough is best! Do not love money! It will ultimately destroy your life and family.)

2. Make money a “means to an end” instead of an end! Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. (There is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruit of your labor as long as pleasure does not become your “god.” Learn to “take a day off” occasionally are enjoy life. When life comes to an end, money is a cold comfort to those who have lived for it. Your faithfulness to the Lord, family, friends, and fond memories are all that will matter then.)

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3. Learn to be content with what God (not “god”) gives to you! Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (To the greedy, “how much is enough” is “just a little more!” The sleep of a hardworking man is sweet but riches cause sleep to flee from those who live for them. God has promised to supply all our need and all our need is all that we need.)

4. Learn to live within your means! Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (If you cannot afford it, do not buy it! Wait until you get the money to buy it with! If it will take away from the peace and joy of life, leave it alone! I had rather drive an older model car and be able to buy a hamburger or ice cream cone than to drive a new car and scrape by financially.)

5. Realize that life does not consist of the abundance of things that we possess! Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (I used this verse when I preached my mother’s funeral. Learn to have real fun. Take your family on an old-fashioned picnic instead of to dome theme park where you have to spend a fortune. Learn to cook a hot dog over a fire in the back yard instead of having to eat in a fine restaurant. Spend quality time with your children while they are at home. Spend time with the “wife of your youth” so that she will become the “wife of your old age.”)

6.Spend time laying up for eternity as well as enjoying the temporal! Matthew 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (When your eternity begins, it will no longer matter what size home you had or what model and year auto you drove. It will no longer matter what brand name clothes or shoes that you wore. The only thing that will matter is what you did for Christ! What you did for your family! What you did for your church! What you did for souls!)

7. Learn to make God your confidence and security! Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (Learn to tithe, give to missions, give to those who have needs, help the poor and God will take care of you! Many earn wages and put them into a “bag with holes.” God blows upon it and it is gone. Take care of God’s’ business and He will take care of yours. It is as simple as that!)

8. Be careful to treat rich and poor equally! James 2:1-9 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (6) But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (7) Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? (8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. (Respect of person is sin. Love people for who they are and not for what they can do for you! You will make more good friends and a lot few enemies in this life.)