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†. 1Tim 6:10 . . For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
The Greek word for covet in that passage is oregomai (or-eg'-om-ahee) which means to desire; viz: to long for something: to set one's heart upon it.
Oregomai doesn't automatically indicate a bad kind of coveting; for example:
†. 1Tim 3:1 . .This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
And:
†. Heb 11:16 . . But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Money isn't the target of 1Tim 6:10; it's the love of money that's targeted; which is a kind of love that marginalizes the mandated loves of God and neighbor that Jesus spoke about.
†. Mrk 12:29-31 . . The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandments greater than these.
The love of money is a kind of love that's common among idolaters.
†. Col 3:5-6 . . Put to death your members which are on the earth— fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
The Greek word for covetousness in that passage is pleonexia (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) which means avarice; which Webster's defines as: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain; viz: greed, cupidity
The love of money is not the source of all evil; but rather it's at the root of all evil. In other words, if you were to dig up a tree that produces a special kind of fruit containing every manner of sin known to man; you would find the love of money growing down there. In other words, a tree's root system can be said to be its heart; and the love of money is in the heart of every last sinner on earth; no exceptions.
†. Mtt 3:10 . . And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
That's very condemning. Are you a liar? Well, in your heart, you are also a lover of money. Are you a inappropriate content addict? Well, in your heart you are also a lover of money. Are you a gossip? Well, in your heart you are also a lover of money. See how it works? If you are a sinner at all, any kind of sinner, it reveals that the love of money is in your heart. It's a commonality; sort of like where there's smoke there's fire.
When I see someone sin, no matter what that particular sin might be, then I know right off, without them having to tell me, that they love money. They may have that love under control, and live a modest life rather than searching for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; but nevertheless, that love is still in there just waiting for a chance to run wild.
C.L.I.F.F.
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