We've all heard the phrase "money is the root of all evil." It gets tossed around as an excuse to avoid financial talks or when someone is feeling guilty about their spending habits. But did you know that's a misquote?

The real quote from 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." See the difference? The Bible doesn't say money itself is the root of all evil—just the love or obsessive desire for it. 

When you think about it, money is neutral. It's just a tool, like a hammer. You can use a hammer to build a house for your family or whack someone over the head (please don't do that). The hammer isn't good or evil; it depends on how you use it.

The same goes for money. Having cash in your wallet doesn't make you a terrible person. It's when you start loving money more than God or people that problems arise. Greed, envy, deceit—that's the real root of evil, according to the Bible. 

So don't feel guilty about having a steady paycheck or saving for retirement. Just keep money in its proper place and don't let it become an idol in your life. The Bible has a lot of practical advice about finances—be generous, avoid get-rich-quick schemes, save for the future, and so on.

At the end of the day, rebellion against God is the ultimate root of all evil, whether that rebellion expresses itself through the love of money or some other sinful desire. Our hearts were made to worship the Creator, not the creation. We are called to live for Christ in every area of life, including our finances.