What is the ROOT of all evil?

My alarm clock is set so I ascend back to consciousness by way of the particular radio station that it is set to. I often find myself hearing morning radio shows in a dream like state which causes me to only remember things that really stand out. Yesterday I heard one of the disc jockeys misquote one of the most misquoted scriptures in the bible.

I don’t remember the context of what he was saying, but I do specifically remember him saying, “well, you know money is the root of all evil.” I do not have any evidence that would lead me to believe that he is a Christian, but I don’t think it even matters.

The verse is misquoted by believers and unbelievers alike. If it were the ROOT of all evil - then nothing good could come from it (a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit -mat.7.18). Let’s set the record straight.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. -1tim.6.10

If we actually go back to the verse, it is clear that it is the LOVE of money that leads to all the evil. It is not the money itself that is evil. In fact, I think we can conclude that it doesn’t even need to be money that we love, but anything that we put first in our lives.

God is a jealous God and wants first place in our lives (exo20.5). The problem lies in our incorrect prioritization. The bible says that if we seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, THEN we will get the things.

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth. - luk.16.13.

It’s our choice. We get to choose who we will serve. If we pick money, we will never be satisfied and our lives will reflect that. But, if we pick God we will have the joy of being fulfilled and the money will come too. It seems like a pretty easy decision.