I find it interesting that (almost) everyone assumes that this verse is targeting the irch or wealthy. There is nothing written there that says those that love money are the ones that have it. What if I were to suggest that the people that love money too much are the ones that DON’T have it? Perhaps they do not have because God does not trust them with it.

In my experience, most people that have earned their money do not love it. It is a tool to be used for better things. God trusts them with the money.

How about this passage: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

God wants generous people that he can make wealthy. Those that will make a difference with their gifts.

I see the Matthew verse in a similar light. We must remember that Jesus is not literal in his parables and directions. The “eye of a needle” is a doorway in Jerusalem. The only way through for a camel is to remove all the burden it carries and then get the animal to crawl through the opening on its knees.

In Matthew 19, Jesus wants the young ruler to understand that God must be first in his life. Devotion and praise are not enough. The order to sell everything and give it to the poor is no more a literal command than when He says in verses 5 and 18 that we must pluck out our eyes if they have caused us to sin.

The message is do not let anything come between you and God.

–
../Paul
No Limit Success

Could it be that the Bible writer is warning us about a certain form of attachment?

Someone who has made money an object of their love has an attachment – but what
kind?

In order to find the specific type of attachment it is useful to look at the entire verse, which states: “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.” This is the King James Version.

The term that provides us with a clue is the word “coveted.” Coveting is a word
we rarely use in modern language The dictionary describes coveting as desiring wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others.

One of the synonyms for covet is envy. So coveting is an excessive desire, especially to possess something. These meanings bring the terms greed and avarice to mind.

So do these definitions mean we should shun money and eliminate any desire for acquiring or accumulating riches?

Is desire for money – with its power to pierce us with many sorrows – something to be scared of?

Consider the possibility of having a balanced relationship with money. The scripture is warning us about the dangers of “excessive” desire. Notice the verse does not say “having or wanting money is the root of all evil.”

Again the dictionary definition of the word “covet” gives a deeper insight into the scripture. It gives us a huge clue as to what wrongful desire is. The phrase: “without due regard to others.”

One way to look at this controversial scripture is to consider the fact that people love people, places, and things that are important to them. Some of us make our loved ones a priority, while others make achievement and gaining their main concern.

What if the Bible writer is warning his readers to remain aware of their true priorities?

Should we not safeguard ourselves from making money more important than our regard for others?

Look at the “love of money” from the frame of your priorities in life. Do you disregard others in order to again wealth?

It is very easy to let money slip up as the higher value over our relationship with others. In fact, it is very common in this day and age to take it to the next level.

How could it be any worse?

It is also very common for people to make money a priority over their relationship with themselves.

Desiring wealth, abundance, and learning how to attract money – getting “into the flow of money” – are good things as long as your priorities are clear. The Bible writer is simply warning you and I, in advance, about the great power money can have over us – if we give it that power.

Now, if you find that you inadvertently get caught up in excessive desire for money then congratulations; you now have found an issue – your own personal challenge around money.

Once you resolve this issue, your ability to attract and manage money will increase.
Releasing this block will move you to be more “in sync” with yourself and the flow of money in your life – as Kenrick says.

Great post – would you also address the specific verse 1 Timothy 6:10, which states “The love of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil.” Some people get hung up on this one even more than Matthew 19.24.