One of many drawbacks of single-verse discussions is that even when a verse is taken in its correct context, the mere citation leaves it open to torture by the ungodly. An excellent example of this is 1 Timothy 6:10, which famously says "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
We've all heard this famous saying, maybe not even knowing it comes from the Bible. Even on its own, it is a fantastic rebuke against the so-called "Prosperity Gospel", a philosophy in which God wants you to be rich, and those who seek riches should seek Him. But it is easily pointed out that the verse only says it is the love of money that is the problem. Riches themselves are neutral.
But we must ask, who loves money more than the one who pursues it in the name of God? The Bible says a lot about riches, but at no point does God ever promise worldly goods in this life. Of course, there are exceptions for individuals. To Solomon, for example, the Lord said "...I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days." (1 Kings 3:13). In His wisdom, God can distribute great wealth as He sees fit. But there is no promise to do this.
In fact, Scripture promotes the value of good work, but also, to some degree, elevates poverty. To be clear, it is not more virtuous to be poor, nor more sinful to be rich. However, what you do in both states makes a great difference. As Paul tells us, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
So what do we have here? Well, first, we do see permission to be rich in this life. Paul isn't especially concerned with the affairs of those outside the Church, preferring to leave them in God's capable hands (1 Corinthians 5:12-13), so if he's giving express commands to the rich, there must be rich people in the Church. And his command isn't "become poor". In fact, Paul himself has experienced both states. As he says elsewhere, "...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13).
But note that Paul's priority here isn't "be rich", but rather, if you are rich, do not trust in uncertain riches. Now, why would riches be uncertain? There is no promise of God that is uncertain. When God says He'll do something, He does it. So if God promises us riches, we will be rich. But here, Paul says riches are uncertain, even for those who are already rich. This is because God isn't especially interested in your prosperity. He may reward you, especially if you work for it, but if you spend your entire life just barely holding on, God has broken no promises.
But even if you are poor, God is watching. As His word says, He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), but those who give out of their poverty, ultimately, have given more than those who give out of their abundance (Mark 12:41-44)!
So what are we to think of those who defend the Prosperity Gospel by pointing out that money, itself, is not a bad thing? Well, first, we expand our reading beyond verse 10. It is probably best to begin at verse 3, and end, if indeed we must end, at verse 19:
"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
Notice that the focus here is on eternity. In his discussion on wealth, Paul reminds us that we don't bring anything to this world, and we don't take anything out. Wealth is certainly a nice thing to enjoy, and that's precisely why God gives it to us at all, but in the end, what lasts is our virtue. If we chase after uncertain riches, it's possible we may obtain them, but Paul warns that by pursuing it, some have even strayed from the faith! This fits in with Jesus' parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9). When Jesus explains the parable in verses 18-23, He says "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." (v22).
The deceitfulness of riches can make some stray from the faith, but I would contend that those who view Godliness as a means of gain may have strayed from it already. As John says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us." (1 John 2:19).
In this world, there are many ways to become rich. Some of them are entirely ethical, and you are not sinning if you obtain wealth by ethical means. But if you're looking for riches, Christianity isn't the faith for you. As the word says, "...You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Thus, you must make a choice. Will you follow the God who will grant you eternal life, even if it means being poor in this life, or will you serve a wrinkled piece of paper, which is only of any use to you when you give it away?