1 Timothy 6:10 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 scripture has been perverted by many to say, “Money is the root of all evil.” However, the scriptures tell us the “love of,” meaning coveting, or giving your whole being over to obtaining the money – is the root of this evil.

There are many examples all around us of people breaking this commandment such as, drug dealing, theft, murder, prostitution and extortion. There are also other examples which people might not easily recognize such as, stabbing people in the back to obtain a higher position in a company. Sleeping around or doing drugs with people who can help you to get a higher paying position.  Lying, cheating or being corrupted in your specialty just to obtain more money.

As men and women of God the bible gives us warnings about these things.

1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Luke 12:13-15  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

As Christ points out to his disciples, the love of money is also covetousness, which we are warned about in one of the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

In today’s society most of us might not have the servants, ox or ass, as people possessed in those times, mainly because it was an agricultural society. However, in today’s society you can swap those things for cars, televisions, etc.

A lot of people see the lifestyles of celebrities on television and develop a covetous mindset and then try to emulate that lifestyle.

The scriptures warn us to do the following.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Our lives should be focused on loving each other, as set forth by the example of Jesus Christ and loving God with all sincerity through Jesus Christ. Then when we do those things, God will bless us according to his will.

Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.