For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, . . . – 1 Timothy 6:10
Have you noticed recently how certain popular YouTube celebrities and politicians and people generally in the public eye have abruptly changed their mind on certain positions and political support. Some of the abrupt changes like that of Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, Candice Owens, Joe Kent are shocking to say the least. The changes are shocking and confounding. Most are packaged in individuals’ own supposed epiphanies. But could there be a more concrete, material cause of such changes? What is behind such changes of mind?
I want to preface this study by saying I don’t know the aforementioned people, nor do I claim any insider information. But I do know what the Bible says and in trying to make sense of the numerous about face changes happening, I have a scripture based possible explanation to consider.
From a worldly perspective I have some worldviews to consider for context. A free-market system is a mechanism that determines creativity, production, and exchange of goods or services based on needs with as much freedom and as little government intervention as possible. A capitalist system is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of producing goods and services such as land, creativity/invention, factories, and capital. Capitalism is private ownership hiring and using workers to make a material profit and financial relationships. Capitalism emphasizes advancement based on merit but is also prone to creating haves and have-nots. It’s a system where work is rewarded. A socialist system is an economic system where social needs trump private ownership. Socialism speaks a lot about “the greater good.” But it is the State that determines the “greater good” and the State regulates what is produced, how it is produced, and how much of it is produced. The State owns means of production rather than private ownership. A communist system in theory is a system with no private ownership. The communist system tries to eliminate class inequality with a mantra of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” While communism seeks to achieve equality, the inevitable government structure practically necessary to enforce equality has a history of becoming tyrannical and enslaving as it imposes its views of equality, ability, and need on the populace. This is a very basic and admittedly limited and simplistic description of four economic worldviews. The inevitable problem with all these systems is that they involve sinful people. This is true of any and all systems of humanity.
What’s my point? My point is that no matter what your economic system preferences are, inserting cash or capital into the system can result in an epiphany such as we have been seeing. When I use the word “epiphany” I mean a sudden moment of deep realization where something that had been previously unclear becomes unmistakably clear. Isn’t that what we have been seeing of late in popular personalities?
The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek term epiphaneia which means manifestation, appearance. Jacob had an epiphany experience when he wrestled with the Lord (Genesis 32). Moses had an epiphany at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4). Three Apostles had an epiphany of the transfigured Jesus on a mountain top (Matthew 17). Two disciples had an epiphany of the resurrected Jesus on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24). The Apostle Thomas had an epiphany of the reality of the resurrected Jesus (John 20). Stephen the first martyr had an epiphany of Jesus standing to welcome him when he was about to be stoned to death (Acts 7). Saul had a name changing life changing saving epiphany on the Damascus Road (Acts 9). Peter had an epiphany when the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles just as He had on Jewish believers in Jerusalem (compare Acts 2 and 10). The Apostle Paul had an epiphany of the sufficiency of God’s grace later in his life (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). These Biblical examples of epiphanies involved encounters with God, His eye-opening revelation, and lives changed as a result.
But one of the attributes of the devil is deception. According to Jesus, the devil is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). And one of the best-known lies that had initially the worst effect was the manipulation of Judas. How did the devil deceive and manipulate Judas? With money, “thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15; 27:3-9). The devil thought he was manipulating one of Jesus’ inner core cabinet post people, but in reality he was falling into a trap that would result in the redemption opportunity for all of sinful humankind. God foretold this plan of deception (Zechariah 11:12-13). Jesus knew it was coming (John 6:70; 13:21). Judas had been compromising his way toward this end for some time (John 12:6). At some point Judas had the devilish epiphany that Jesus wasn’t the Christ and so he would profit from his privileged position. Like with all this who deal with the devil, their end is to become a “son of perdition” (John 17:12).
Judas was not the first, and he won’t be the last, “son of perdition.” The Bible says of the Last Days will be characterized by pervasive deception and betrayal. This is especially true for the prophetic future figure known as “the lawless one,” or Antichrist:
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NKJV) – The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The only reason such damning deception hasn’t already swamped us all is the restraint imposed by the Holy Spirit through the Church in this world (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). But when the Church composed of all those who have been born again (or who have experienced a second birth that is spiritual) are removed at the Rapture, then God will allow the age-old deceptions of the devil to swamp those who persist in their rejection of and rebellion toward their Creator God (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
What might such powerful “unrighteous deception” look like? There will be “signs, and lying wonders,” but there will be more I believe. In the Garden the serpent’s deception took the form of a deluding false promise to “be like God” (Genesis 3:5). Today such a delusion is packaged in the promise of power and prestige. How does one obtain power and prestige? In our time it is often through clicks online that are translated into popularity and advertising dollars. Judas sold out the Savior Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, not a little amount in New Testament times. But today people might be willing to sell out people of far less worth than Jesus in order to profit a whole lot more.
I want to reiterate that I have no “secret” or insider information about of the public figures who have demonstrated radical changes in direction of late. It is possible that people have had a legitimate epiphany which we should honestly consider. Many of those if not most of those who claim their new insight also claim their allegiance to Jesus. I will not judge their heart because only God can do that (Matthew 7:1). I have no hard evidence to bring a legitimate accusation against someone who has recently had such a radical change in thinking. That can happen.
But I am a common citizen, a regular person like you. And, like you, I have wondered what is going on with these radical changes in direction in prominent figures that are causing such a stir. It’s not lost on me that a tactic to gain attention in social media is to in fact stir things up. Controversy leads to clicks, clicks on pages lead to commercials that lead to monetary income. I’m no expert. I will leave it to people who are privy to such tactics. I will leave to those in privileged positions, who do have access to behind-the-scenes information, who are sleuths and investigators, to put meat on the bones of what I’m about to theorize. Descendants of Sherlock Holmes, get to work!
What I am is a pastor and minister of nearly half a century. I have lived most of my life studying the word of God, teaching the word of God, ministering to people from the word of God. I love God’s word and I believe it is God’s instrument of making sense of this world. Jesus said we are to be sanctified or set apart for God’s use, by the word of God. He said the word of God “is truth” (John 17:17). Jesus said His incarnational mission was to witness to the truth (John 18:37). That truth tells us God’s purpose from the beginning for us is to be like Jesus (Romans 8:29), to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21), and walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). The Church, composed of Spirit enlivened Christ-followers, and in which I serve as pastor, is the ground and pillar of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Therefore, when I see confounding complexities and confusing things happening in the world around me, my first response is to ask, “What is going on Lord?” and at the same time to seek out God’s truthful answer in His word.
I’m not discouraged by the slowness of divulging truth and exposing lies and deceptions. I do admit a perp-walk here and there and a few trials exposing the darkness wouldn’t disappoint me. But the Bible states clearly, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). God will bring every work into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Just because someone claims to know the Lord, doesn’t mean they do (Matthew 7:21). The more important thing is that the Lord knows us (Matthew 7:22). Jesus knows those who are His. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). The New Testament affirms this saying, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). Wolves in sheep’s clothing are exposed by the (rotten) fruit they bear (Matthew 7:16). A day has been set in which the entire world will be judged “in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). God will judge the secrets of people (Romans 2:16). We will all give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12; Rev. 20:11 and 15). Some people’s sins are exposed in this life, but other’s sins aren’t revealed to later (1 Timothy 5:24). Either way, God’s justice will prevail.
One of the most profound statements ever made by Jesus was, “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul” (Matthew 16:26). Or “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25). It is only a shortsighted non-believing person who destroys their soul in pursuit of profit.
Too often people in this world, especially as they get older in life, when maybe they haven’t reached personal goals, or who are presented with an opportunity for great worldly gain, lower their gaze from heaven to mere horizontal wealth and compromise with their God-given conscience. “A wicked man accepts a bribe behind that back to pervert the ways of justice (Proverbs 17:23). Money makes friends (Proverbs 14:20; 19:4). The borrower is the slave of the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Notice, it doesn’t say bribes don’t work, at least initially. Bribes do work, but only temporarily. “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” (Proverbs 13:11). Ill gotten gain has a way of vaporizing. You may think you’re doing well by the proliferation of barns you’re building, but God has a way of intruding suddenly to say, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12:20).
It’s been said, “Money makes the world go round.” We have popular movies where main characters shout, “SHOW ME THE MONEY!!” Add to this mosh pit of a money world a religious system that is also political, that has a deceptive strategy taqiyya that justifies lying and using deception to secure dominance, and where a sizeable portion of the world’s wealth is lodged, well, it’s a recipe for ambitious people, lusting for monetary security to be manipulated.
Deception with an eye to manipulate is often found where employees despise employers, where those serving at the pleasure of a president grow envious, jealous, then covetous. In the economic system of the New Testament where masters had servants, even their servants are instructed not to “despise” or disdain their masters, but to serve them for the sake of not reflecting poorly on the Lord (1 Timothy 6:1-2). The person who rebels against their boss is “proud, knowing nothing” envious, argumentative, reviling, and possessing of evil suspicions. They are described as having “corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose godliness is a means of gain.” Then we are told, “from such withdraw yourself” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
I suspect that many of our recent public epiphanies and changes were motivated by “a means of gain.” I have no concrete proof of money exchanging hands. I just have a real strong sense that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The Holy Spirit expressly says that “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own consciences seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). The last days will be perilous in part because, “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers. . .unthankful, unholy, . . . slanderers, . . . traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). It’s not hard to see a link between “lovers of money” and treachery.”
Is it really so difficult to envision an exchange of money behind closed doors or under the table in order to buy a change in loyalty? I will leave it up to you sleuthy detectives to look around for any increases in riches or purchases of properties by those having the recent epiphanies. Look at properties purchased or guest appearances in the Middle East that occurred in close proximity to a change in allegiances for instance. Don’t be quick to smear with inuendo or suspicions, but don’t be gullible either. Money itself is not the problem, it is “the love of money” that is “the root of all kinds of evil.” The god of Mammon, or god of money, is alive and well today and has a large following. Unfortunately, like Judas, “some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money will do that.
Learn from what is going on. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by money or the things of this world. Be balanced and of a “sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Be salt, be light (Matthew 5:13-16). Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The attainable objective for us should be “godliness” (Greek eusebeia) which is holiness, godliness, reverence, or a mind and heart set on God and pleasing Him. Secondly, our objective should be “contentment” (Greek autarkeia) which is satisfaction with what one has been given by God, sufficiency, being content with what God gives. Our mindset should be, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). It has been said, “There are no U-Haul trailers attached to hearses.
The Bible warns the Christian:
1 John 2:15–17 (NKJV) – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
I don’t only quote these verses for those who have voiced their changes of heart, but I quote for those of us who know Jesus personally. Don’t get so enthralled and enmeshed in the controversies of this world that you miss what is eternally significant. Just remember, whatever the answers are, and whatever people do and whatever they get away with, “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Be “forever” oriented.
Father in heaven we come to You in Jesus name. Father we are confused by the things of this world. Our heart is to stay away from darkness and expose it when You enable us to do so. Help us not to lust after and love money and the things of this world. Help us to live honestly and support others who do as well. Help us to be a good example. Father, make us good stewards of the blessings and the money you give us. Father, in Jesus’ name, by the Holy Spirit, please make us what we need to be, to do what You call us to do, for Your glory, until Jesus’ return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.