Love Of Money

An appreciation of money is easily be misinterpreted in a negative way by those who blindly equate money with greed, as if there is no difference between someone who is fond of money and someone who allows money to control their priorities, actions, and worldview.  There is even a difference between loving money for its own sake and loving money for the sake of what it can provide.

The former is what the context of 1 Timothy 6:10, a verse that may be cited in opposition to money, condemns: a lack of contentment and the abandonment of Christian ethics for the sale of money are what the context is clearly discouraging.  If 1 Timothy 6:10 meant anything more than this, the verse would plainly contradict other passages in the Bible that clarify the nonsinful nature of wealth.  Nowhere does Mosaic Law prohibit wealth or the mere desire for wealth, and to add to the revealed commands is itself an offense (Deuteronomy 4:2).

Even if a desire for money was sinful regardless of the motives behind that desire, an insatiable desire for money is not literally behind every individual sin, as some have taken 1 Timothy 6:10 to mean.  Rather, someone who values money above all else could be enticed by money to commit any particular sin if the price is high enough.  Money has no ability to make anyone exploit, abuse, or trivialize others, as only a sentient being could do such a thing.  People are responsible for their own actions, not currency!  It is clear that Mosaic Law, Jesus, and Paul are not opposed to money itself.

Therefore, having, wanting, or needing money is not a moral abomination.  Only when a love of money surpasses a love of truth, God, others, or oneself (if the basis for loving others is that they bear God's image, that love should apply to oneself as well) does one have a flawed relationship with money.  Short of looking to money for what it cannot give or prioritizing it above that which is more significant, there is nothing problematic about wanting money on its own.

The Christian deity does not condemn humans for seeking health, peace, and security--all things that can be far easier to obtain with the aid of money.  This is why the possession of wealth is not sinful.  Money can be used for morally neutral or positive ends.  Even when a person's motivations for accumulating money are not explicitly benevolent to others, there is nothing immoral about having any particular sum of money.