1 Timothy 6:9-10

1 Timothy 6:9-10

[9] But  they that will  be rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a snare,  and  into many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  perdition.  [10] For  the love of money  the root  of all  evil:  which  while some  coveted after,  they have erred  from  the faith,  and  themselves  through  with many  sorrows. 

What does 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

A simple lifestyle demonstrates contentment with the basics of life. [1] In contrast, greed for more opens the door to temptation. This temptation comes in the form of unwise lustful desires that impede one"s spiritual progress, as a trap holds an animal that gets tangled in it. Eventually the end of the person so snared is spiritual ruin and personal destruction if he or she does not escape its grip and turn from it.
Paul used a second figure to warn against greed ( 1 Timothy 6:10 a). That root attitude bears all kinds of evil fruit in wicked actions. Note that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the snare. It is possible to have very little money and yet to love it. Some people have much money yet do not love it. Love of money contrasts with love of God and neighbor, the two greatest commandments ( Matthew 22:39; cf. Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 John 2:15).
"The connotation in "the love of money" (philaguria) is not the acquisition of wealth in order that it may be used in prodigal expenditure but rather the miserly accumulation and hoarding of money for the very love of it. That which should be a means to support life is made the end of life itself." [2]
Paul pictured a person wandering from the narrow path of truth as he pursues money. He gets caught in thorns that pierce his skin and cause him great pain (cf. Matthew 13:22). Paul may have been speaking of these false teachers impaling themselves. [3]
"The sentiment Isaiah , that there is no kind of evil to which the love of money may not lead men, when once it fairly takes hold of them." [4]
As Christians who live in a materialistic world, we must cultivate Paul"s attitude of contentment very deliberately. This is an especially difficult task in a society like the one in which we live in North America. We are constantly hearing through advertising and the media that we "need" all kinds of luxuries. According to Paul, and Jesus, our personal needs as human beings are very few. Paul"s point was that we should seek godliness more diligently than we seek money and the things it can buy.
"If you are afraid that perhaps the love of money is getting a hold on your soul, start giving some of it away and see how you feel! If you feel really glad then you are still safe, but if it almost breaks your heart then it is time to get down on your knees and pray to be freed from this sin of covetousness! It is going to ruin you unless you are delivered from it." [5]
Compare the attitude of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:22, Mark 10:22, or Luke 18:23.