One Bible verse that gets frequently misquoted is that money is the root of all evil. The actual verse is:
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:9-10
The “love” of money, not money itself, is what gets you into trouble. The craving for wealth is more dangerous than wealth itself, affecting both the poor, who seek it, and the rich, who desire even more.
In Matthew 19, Jesus states that being wealthy
can be a detriment to one’s salvation.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
– Matthew 19:24
If you are at a position in life where you can purchase everything you desire in this physical world, you could easily fall into a false sense of independence. If you embrace the notion that “I am wealthy and need nothing,” heaven is not exactly on the front burner of your thoughts, especially if you are content with this life rather than longing for the kingdom of God.
Jesus does not claim that all poor people enter the kingdom of heaven while all wealthy people are excluded. Several affluent individuals in the New Testament significantly supported the early church. For instance, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich member of the Sanhedrin, boldly requested Jesus’ body from Pilate and provided a tomb for His burial (Matthew 27:57-60), showing how wealth can serve Christ’s mission. Similarly, Lydia, a prosperous dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira and a worshiper of God, opened her home to the apostle Paul and his companions after her conversion, supporting their missionary efforts in Philippi (Acts 16:14-15). Her generosity demonstrates how wealth can advance the gospel when used selflessly.
Being poor does not guarantee you a ticket to heaven any more than being rich denies you an invitation. What good is it for a poor person to pursue riches at the expense of seeking a relationship with God? Many poor and rich alike, will find themselves standing side by side outside the gates of heaven, having succumbed to the temptations of this world.
Is Ambition good or bad?
The answer to this question depends on the posture of your heart. If your ambition is to be in a relationship with God, it is always good. However, ambition for a successful self-image is selfish ambition, and a person turned toward themselves is never turned toward the light of God.
You may seek fortune and fame in this physical world, and everyone may be impressed by your great name, but soon the glories of this life will pass and only what you do for Christ will last. – Neal Morse
The ambition for wealth can only be truly fulfilled in Jesus Christ through spiritual riches, not material possessions. Everything else falls short. Poor people think if they only could only get rich, they would find contentment. On the other hand, wealthy people are afraid they will lose their money, so they seek contentment by pursuing more wealth. Money will never give the rich or the poor the contentment we find in Christ Jesus. He is the only one who can give us a peace that transcends all understanding.
Evil is not found in money, it’s found in people’s hearts!
Where your heart is focused, your mind will follow. If your heart is set on riches, it is not focused on God. A person cannot be turned towards themselves and God at the same time. If you are not turned towards God, you cannot be filled with His light and grace. If Christ is not first in your life, the rest of your life is out of order. Without His grace, all is lost!
Set your heart on God, invite Him in and be filled with His light. Enjoy the peace only His presence can give you. It is because of Jesus’ work on the cross that we are invited into God’s family. As part of His family, we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit to help us live in agreement with God’s will, in our thoughts, our purpose and our actions. -Amen
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