The answer is: Love of money

1 Tim 6:10

In 1 Timothy 6:10, the warning about the love of money is striking and woven throughout the fabric of biblical teachings. It highlights how something as neutral as money can become corrupt when put on a pedestal. This idea isn't isolated to just one book in the Bible—Proverbs also notes, “A time of greed and violence” will consume those entangled in riches. The deeper message here is about priorities; when love for money takes the front seat, highly valued virtues like kindness and generosity take a back seat.

Interestingly, the origin of the phrase “the love of money is the root of all evil” implies that all kinds of evils—greed, dishonesty, exploitation—stem from an excessive attachment to wealth. When people focus so singularly on monetary gain, they may ignore the broader consequences of their actions, often at the expense of community and integrity.

Trivia tidbit: Did you know that the richest man in history may have been Mansa Musa I of Mali, who lived during the 14th century? His wealth was legendary because he was inherently connected to the gold trade! Interestingly, his journey to pilgrimage to Mecca highlighted the notion that true worth may lie beyond coin, reinforcing community and relationships as vital aspects of life that money cannot buy. The scripture reminds us to reflect on our attachments, prioritizing love for humanity over love for wealth.