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Roots Of Evil


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Posted

Pride

Is pride a byproduct of money and power? I would save more pride is a byproduct of money and power. That is why the saying it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven. What do you think?

Posted (edited)

Even the poor may have an impious glorying and trust in earthly things and the flesh.

And the wealthy may be meek.

Money is not the root of evil. (Though I suppose the lack of it might be the cause of bad behavior in some cases.)

Edited by CASteinman
Posted

If we are to believe the scriptures, Paul specifically, the love of money is the root of all evil. To me, it is hard to distinguish between the love of money and the love of power. Pride is intrinsic with both. I think they are so entangled we cannot really separate them.

Glenn

Posted (edited)

What are the roots of evil? Put them in order starting with the worst. Discuss.

To get it started:

1.Power

2.Money

I will quote the famous "love of money" verse from 1 Timothy in context, which will help to give an accurate answer to your question:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

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 is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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

So the root of all evil is believing that material gain and the carnal pleasures that it can buy will make one happy. We all remember that the Saviour said it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The reason why he said this is because if any man considers himself to be rich, while simultaneously being poor in the blessings that come from God, that man just doesn't understand the true nature of reality. All men and women are dirt poor -- now matter how much wealth and how many of the things that bring carnal pleasure and security they have accumulated -- because only the 'wealth' that comes from heaven can make one happy. The following is instructive on this point:

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3)

So the root of all evil is the false belief that the wealth of the world, and its carnal pleasures and false senses of security, will make one happy. As Paul taught Timothy, only the everlasting wealth that comes from above, true wealth such as "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience (and) meekness," is the only kind of wealth that can bring true happiness. Believing one can find happiness without God and his righteousness is truly the root of all evil.

Edited by teddyaware
Posted

This is all well and good, but everybody knows that the root of all evil is a large, extra chocolaty Double Fudge Blizzard from DQ.

Posted

If we are to believe the scriptures, Paul specifically, the love of money is the root of all evil. To me, it is hard to distinguish between the love of money and the love of power. Pride is intrinsic with both. I think they are so entangled we cannot really separate them.

Glenn

That is a great point, you have given me something to ponder. Thank You Glenn!

Posted

This is all well and good, but everybody knows that the root of all evil is a large, extra chocolaty Double Fudge Blizzard from DQ.

Did you say that, Captain Kirk?

Posted

I will quote the famous "love of money" verse from 1 Timothy in context, which will help to give an accurate answer to your question:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

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 is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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

So the root of all evil is believing that material gain and the carnal pleasures that it can buy will make one happy. We all remember that the Saviour said it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The reason why he said this is because if any man considers himself to be rich, while simultaneously being poor in the blessings that come from God, that man just doesn't understand the true nature of reality. All men and women are dirt poor -- now matter how much wealth and how many of the things that bring carnal pleasure and security they have accumulated -- because only the 'wealth' that comes from heaven can make one happy. The following is instructive on this point:

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3)

So the root of all evil is the false belief that the wealth of the world, and its carnal pleasures and false senses of security, will make one happy. As Paul taught Timothy, only the everlasting wealth that comes from above, true wealth such as "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience (and) meekness," is the only kind of wealth that can bring true happiness. Believing one can find happiness without God and his righteousness is truly the root of all evil.

Wow, this has turned into a great discussion. Thank you to all participants.

Also thanks for putting it in context as I did not read it in context. The reason I looked it up is because I was reading a verse about secret combinations. I then turned to the TG where it says repeatedly they sought power. That is what made me wonder is power the root of all evil.

Posted

What are the roots of evil? Put them in order starting with the worst. Discuss.

To get it started:

1.Power

2.Money

In Proverbs it states:

"six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth:

  1. A proud look
  2. A lying tongue
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood
  4. A heart that devises wicked plots
  5. Feet that are swift to run into mischief
  6. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies
  7. Him that soweth discord among brethren"

In the 4th Century the seven deadly sins were:

The countering seven virtues were:

Latin Virtue Latin Lust Luxuria Chastity Castitas Gluttony Gula Temperance Temperantia Greed Avaritia Charity Caritas Sloth Acedia Diligence Industria Wrath Ira Patience Patientia Envy Invidia Kindness Humanitas Pride Superbia Humility Humilitas

I don't see any change in order from then. Power and money are simply two branches of the same tree

Posted

What are the roots of evil? Put them in order starting with the worst. Discuss.

To get it started:

1.Power

2.Money

Neither of these themselves intrinsically are the roots of evil. It is the love of such things that are said to be the root of all evils. In some situations, pride also will combine with power to make matters worse.

Posted (edited)

Wow, this has turned into a great discussion. Thank you to all participants.

Also thanks for putting it in context as I did not read it in context. The reason I looked it up is because I was reading a verse about secret combinations. I then turned to the TG where it says repeatedly they sought power. That is what made me wonder is power the root of all evil.

Tyler, If I had thought about the subject a little bit longer, I would have specifically included the love worldly power into the mix. But when you really think about it, worldly power seems to inevitably extend out from worldly wealth and possessions anyway. One can't control any office or institution of worldly power without money or capital in some form or another, even if the only capital possession used to enforce that power is just a handgun. In fact, Communist China's Chairman Mao once infamously said, "political power grows out of the end of a gun," In the end, the consolidation of unrighteous dominion almost always comes down to a matter money or capital. But remember, money itself is not evil, it's the love of money that is.

Edited by teddyaware
Posted

I think it's evil if you have billions and don't save humans, this is a commandment from God, it's not happening. A lot of wealthy in the world. Some sports stars who bring in millions like Michael Jordan. Yes, they do contribute to charities but its a pittance. And CEO's could do much better. It's evil to horde all that money. I have less than 20, 000.00 in savings and believe I horde. There is so much that could be done that isn't. Evil to do nothing.

Posted

money itself is not evil, it's the love of money that is.

Before the love of money comes the justification that "I deserve this wealth". "I have worked hard, I need to guarantee the welfare of my family, to hell with the rest."

Pride justifies the avarice.

Posted

What are the roots of evil? Put them in order starting with the worst. Discuss.

Listening to and believing the adversary.

Posted

I don't remember there being any currency in the garden of Eden.

The forbidden fruit was a form of capital. Satan said, "sell me your soul and I'll give you this especially delicious apple."

Posted (edited)

The forbidden fruit was a form of capital. Satan said, "sell me your soul and I'll give you this especially delicious apple."

The fruit was not capital. It did not belong to the adversary. She did not believe that she was "selling" her soul. That was not even mentioned. It was freely placed by God for them to partake if they so choose, and they were told that they are FREE to choose and eat what they will. It was a deception not a transaction of capital. It was not a lust for wealth, but a lust for knowing and seeing. It was a deception that her will is more important than God's will. It was my will not thine be done. It was the beginning of enmity and pride.

Edited by pogi
Posted

I don't see any change in order from then. Power and money are simply two branches of the same tree

If I understand correctly you are saying pride is the root of all evil?

Posted

If we go back even further than the Garden of Eden we will find the same truth. Why did Lucifer fall? Love of money?

One of the greatest talks of all time:

http://www.lds.org/g...-pride?lang=eng

The fruit was not capital. It did not belong to the adversary. She did not believe that she was "selling" her soul. That was not even mentioned. It was freely placed by God for them to partake if they so choose, and they were told that they are FREE to choose and eat what they will. It was a deception not a transaction of capital. It was not a lust for wealth, but a lust for knowing and seeing. It was a deception that her will is more important than God's will. It was my will not thine be done. It was the beginning of enmity and pride.

That was supposed to be a joke and make you laugh or a least smile, Pogi. Did you?

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