Money!

(J. C. Philpot, "Meditations on 1 Peter")

"People will be lovers of themselves,
 lovers of money." 2 Timothy 3:2

"For the love of money is a root of all
 kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6:10

Money feeds the lusts of the flesh by giving
its possessor the power to gratify them.

Money nurses his pride by making its possessor,
so to speak, independent of the providence of God.

Money fosters the love of the world by giving
its possessor a portion in it.

"You cannot serve both God and Money!"
     Luke 16:13

"Not greedy for money." 1 Peter 5:2

"Keep your lives free from the love of money
 and be content with what you have." Heb. 13:5

"The Pharisees, who dearly loved their
 money, scoffed at all this." Luke 16:14