Examining misquoted, misused, and misapplied Bible verses.

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

“Luke, I am your father.”

Most Star Wars fans immediately recognize those words spoken by Darth Vader in the movie The Empire Strikes Back. The irony is that Darth Vader never said them. What Darth Vader actually said was, “No. I am your father.”

That is just one example of what is known as the Mandela Effect. The Mandela Effect is a collective false memory by which people vividly and strongly remember something that didn’t happen or happened differently than what they recall.

The phenomenon is named after Nelson Mandela, whom many Americans believed to have died in a South African prison in the 1980s during apartheid. Many claim that they specifically remember hearing about his death on the news.

Nelson Mandela, however, did not die in prison during apartheid. In fact, after his release in the early 1990s, Mandela helped overthrow apartheid and served as South Africa’s first democratically elected president from 1994 to 1999. Still today, however, many people say they vividly remember hearing about his death on the news in the 1980s.

If you have a moment, search for the Mandela Effect online and read the numerous examples of the phenomenon. You will be surprised by how many false memories you have of things you think you remember clearly.

The Mandela Effect also happens with the Bible. For example, I’ve heard many a Christian say, “As the Bible says, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ ” Yet, those words aren’t found in the Bible.

Sometimes, we simply misremember or misquote a verse. The most famous example is probably 1 Timothy 6:10. People love to quote it. “Money is the root of all evil,” they say.

The only problem is that’s not what the verse says. What Paul actually wrote was, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (emphasis added).

The context

In his first letter to the young pastor Timothy, the apostle Paul warns his protégé of the dangers of greed and avarice: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:6-9).

Notice that nowhere in these verses does Paul even mention money. Money isn’t the problem. Money isn’t the root of all evil. It’s not the root of any evil.

Money is a blessing from God.

Through God’s gift of money, he provides for our needs and the needs of others. Money gives us the opportunity to be generous. Through money, we enjoy many blessings and comforts in this life.

Money, in and of itself, is not evil. Yet, as is true with many of God’s blessings, a misunderstanding or misguided attitude toward money can be the catalyst for all kinds of problems.

In the end, the heart of the issue is the human heart. Paul warns Timothy and us of the dangers of greed and selfishness. An unhealthy love or preoccupation with money can lead to all kinds of sins and heartaches.

People can get so preoccupied with earning more money and getting more stuff that they lose sight of what is really important. Jesus himself once said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). An unhealthy love for money has led many to lie, cheat, or steal to get more of it. It has ruined many marriages. It has led people away from the faith.

Applying this truth to our lives

We need to watch out for the dangers of greed and selfishness. Living in a rich country like the United States is a blessing, but it also can be a temptation for us to grow an unhealthy attachment to our money, our possessions, and all the creature comforts we enjoy.

Our money and possessions are blessings from God. It isn’t wrong to want to earn more money or enjoy greater blessings. The more money we have, the more we can give and share with others. The key is our attitude toward money. The key is our hearts. The key is contentment.

To be content means to be happy with what we have. The secret to contentment isn’t getting what we want but appreciating what we have.

Look at all that God has given us—our home, food, cars, electronics, checking accounts, and retirement funds. God has blessed us with many material blessings. Even more important, he gives us family and friends. He gives us a church family to support and encourage us. He gives us his Word and sacraments to comfort, guide, and help us.

Most important, he gave us his Son, Jesus. Because of Jesus, he gives us forgiveness. Because of Jesus, he gives us a home in the mansions of heaven.

Seeing all that God has given us and trusting that he will always provide for all our needs help us keep a proper perspective on our money and possessions.

Watch out for greed and selfishness. An unhealthy attachment to our money and possessions can lead to all kinds of problems. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

For further thought or discussion

Your son or daughter has mentioned a goal of getting a high-paying job and making lots of money. Keeping 1 Timothy 6:6-10 in mind, what encouragements would you give your child? What warnings?

This is the third article in a series on misunderstood Bible verses.

Author: Andrew Schroer
Volume 112, Number 06
Issue: June 2025

Bringing God’s Word into focus

A common frustration among English teachers is that their students fail to comprehend what they are reading. Young people often read too quickly or skim over passages. They let their minds wander while reading.

Take your time when reading your Bible. Read and reread passages carefully. Ask yourself questions like: What do these verses tell me about myself? What do they tell me about God? What will they lead me to do? What am I to believe? What am I to do?

As you read your Bible, pray the ancient prayer: “Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them . . .”

Don’t just read your Bible. Think about it. Chew on it. Inwardly digest it.