Faith of Our Fathers: "The Misquote, Money Is the Root of all Evil"
Speaker: John Stott
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Stott addresses the widespread misquotation of a biblical text—"Money is the root of all evil"—by examining its original context and meaning from 1 Timothy 6. Stott unpacks common errors in this misquote, explores the biblical approach to money and possessions, and offers a balanced Christian perspective, warning against both materialism and asceticism while advocating for a lifestyle marked by simplicity and generosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Misquotation Explained (00:50–06:00)

• Stott opens by debunking the common misquote that "money is the root of all evil," clarifying there are at least three errors in how it's often cited:

  • The Bible says it is the love of money, not money itself, that is a root.
  • The original Greek says "a root," not "the root."
  • "All evil" should be rendered "all kinds of evil" (evil is plural).

• Notable Quote:

  “The main misquotation is now apparent that what the Bible says is a root of evil is not money itself, but the love of money.” (02:26, John Stott)

• This confusion affects how Christians think about wealth and possessions.

2. The Challenge of Economic Inequality (06:00–08:00)

• Stott highlights urgent global issues: vast economic inequality and widespread destitution.
  • Cites statistics: Nearly one quarter of the world's population lacks basic necessities, and 10,000 people die of starvation daily.
• Memorable Moment:

  “It will be very difficult for any sensitive Christian... to live with those statistics with any degree of equilibrium.” (07:28, John Stott)

3. Two Biblical Warnings About Money (08:00–23:40)

A. Warning Against Covetousness (08:20–17:00)

• Covetousness is “probably the commonest and most insidious sin of the affluent nations of the 20th century.”

• Society often assesses worth by wealth, an unbiblical attitude.

• Quote (from Malcolm Muggeridge):

  "Wealth increasing forevermore and its beneficiaries rich in higher purchase, stupefied with the telly and with sex, comprehensively educated… Leisure burgeoning out in multitudinous shining aerials rising like dreaming spires into the sky. Many mansions, mansions of light and chromium climbing ever upwards." (11:20, via Stott quoting Muggeridge)

• Stott unpacks the downward spiral described by Paul:

  • Seeking riches leads to temptation, entrapment in materialism, foolish desires, ruin, destruction, and spiritual loss.

• Notable Quote:

  “The money is like sea water. The more you drink, the thirstier you become.” (16:45, John Stott)

• Uses the example of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol as the literary archetype of covetousness.

B. Warning Against Asceticism (17:00–23:40)

• Some react to materialism by swinging to asceticism—the belief that material things are inherently evil.

• Clarification:

  • Materialism idolizes things; asceticism renounces them entirely.

• Balanced View:

  • God created material things for our good; we are to enjoy them with gratitude.

• Cites 1 Timothy 4:4-5:

  “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving… It is consecrated by the word of God and by prayer.” (19:45, paraphrased by Stott)

• Quote (G.K. Chesterton):

  “You say grace before meals, all right, but I say grace before the play and the opera, and grace before the concert and the pantomime, and grace before I open a book…” (22:50, via Stott quoting Chesterton)

• Illustrates with the story of pigeons (who keep their heads down when drinking) as those who neglect to thank God for creation.

4. Two Biblical Exhortations (23:40–32:20)

A. To Simplicity (23:40–29:32)

• Stott strongly critiques the "prosperity gospel" as unbiblical and insensitive to realities of global poverty.

  • The Old Testament associated obedience with national prosperity; the New Testament sets the ideal as simplicity, not prosperity.

• Quote:

  “The authentic hallmark of the followers of Jesus is not success, but suffering, service.” (26:45, John Stott)

• Cites 1 Timothy 6:7-8:

  “We brought absolutely nothing into the world, and we can take absolutely nothing out of the world… But if we have food and clothing, then with these simplicities of life we shall be content.” (27:00, John Stott referencing J.B. Phillips’s translation)

• Discusses differentiating needs vs. wants, necessity vs. luxury, and making conscientious decisions about consumption.

  • Suggests evaluating: “Do I need it? Will I use it to share with others? Can I justify it as a necessity?”

• Key Point:

  • Paul advocates “simplicity over extravagance, contentment over covetousness.”

B. To Generosity (29:32–32:20)

• Stott shifts focus to those who are already rich:

  • The instruction is not immediate divestment, but humility, trust in God (not riches), good deeds, and generosity.

• Quote:

  “If our God is generous, God’s people must be generous too.” (32:00, John Stott)

• Emphasizes many causes languish for want of support, and calls Christians to thoughtfulness and generosity.

• Argues that the ultimate model of generosity is found in God’s gift of His Son.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the core misquote:

  “It is not money itself but the love of money which is a root of all kinds of evil.” (03:00, John Stott)

• On covetousness' effects:

  “Seeking gain they encounter loss, loss of self respect, loss of integrity, loss even of themselves in a lost eternity.” (16:00, John Stott)

• On global inequality:

  “Almost a quarter of the population… are destitute… 10,000 people die of starvation every day.” (07:25, John Stott)

• On prosperity gospel:

  “We should have no hesitation in rejecting the prosperity Gospel as a false gospel… The New Testament Gospel is more a gospel of adversity than of prosperity.” (26:28 & 26:50, John Stott)

• On thankfulness:

  “We don’t thank God enough for the good things of creation, often because we’re preoccupied with the good things of redemption.” (21:08, John Stott)

• Practical takeaway:

  “Life on earth is a pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness… we ought to learn to travel light.” (27:30, John Stott)

Important Timestamps

• Misquotation introduced: 00:50
• Textual corrections and biblical context: 02:20–06:00
• Contemporary challenge of poverty: 06:00–08:00
• Warning against covetousness/materialism: 08:20–17:00
• Warning against asceticism: 17:00–23:40
• Exhortation to simplicity: 23:40–29:32
• Exhortation to generosity: 29:32–32:20
• Concluding prayer for application: 32:20–34:44

Conclusion

John Stott challenges listeners to discard the false dichotomy that demonizes wealth and possessions while warning against making them ultimate. He urges Christians to cultivate both simplicity and generosity, echoing the life of Jesus Christ—a model of contentment and open-handed sharing. Stott’s message remains timely, urging balanced faithfulness in a world of material extremes.

For further listening, tune in to Faith of Our Fathers to hear more messages from influential 20th-century preachers.