Admin As many people must have noted, you and the lad have misquoted the moral teaching:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10
The context is especially important: It is speaking of people using religion as a means of gain:
…imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:5
Money is a tool. It’s no different in that respect than a screwdriver, fork, knife, clothes, stoves, or language. There is no moral connotation with any of these. A knife can cut a fine steak, slice tomatoes, or be thrust into the heart of another human being.
However, money is much more fungible. It can be exchanged for practically anything else. Without money, the modern economy would be impossible.
It is the tool of all tools so to speak. So money puts more options on the table for us:
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:6–9
And those options are often bad. If you have vices that have the propensity to hurt you or others, relative poverty (i.e. not having enough money to indulge those vices) is a good thing.
If you get a windfall of money, but you have not dealt with the vices and desires of your heart, that money will ruin you.
I repeat…
If your heart is not pure, wealth will ruin you. If you can’t handle stress, wealth will ruin you.
There is a reason why lottery winners usually lose the money in 5 years with a trail of tears and destruction in their wake. They had no idea of the problems that come with it!
Everything is now available to you: drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, shopping addictions, nicer cars, big houses, and “friends”. You can use money to influence other people, but it can sour relationships just as easily. Money changes the relationships you have with friends, as their jealousy and envy drive a wedge between you and them. Problem after problem keeps coming up when you misuse money.
It takes incredible maturity to be wealthy and not harm yourself and others. It take impeccable skill to properly use the tool of money.
Money is supposed to be a means to an end. However, if money is the purpose of your life, that spells your impending doom.
