Most of our lives are spent working. It behooves us to prepare for our work carefully, to do our work responsibly, and to improve our work performance conscientiously. Since M.E. Dodd thought he was called by God to preach the gospel, he rightly perceived that he was obligated to prepare his sermons. What Dr. Dodd meant by this, I feel sure, was that he understood that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. He did not want to compromise his life or work with mammon's blandishments.
Money can be seductive.
A little of it is needed. A lot of it can lead to big trouble. It is a useful servant but an awful master. The acquisition of it can be addictive. By not cozying up to it, Dr. Dodd no doubt hoped to stay out of harm's way regarding what he would have known to be one of the most lethal weapons in Satan's arsenal.