It sure does, and this time it has some heavenly wisdom to impart. Listen carefully, because it may be speaking to you.

I’m not evil, as some suppose. To the contrary, I can actually be quite useful. Use me properly, and you’ll enjoy this life more (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; 1 Timothy 6:17), make this life better for others (1 Timothy 6:18), advance the cause of the gospel (Philippians 1:5; 4:14-16), and in so doing better prepare yourself and others for the life to come (1 Timothy 6:19). So work hard to obtain me (Ephesians 4:28); be wise with your investments (Matthew 25:26-27); and put some of me aside (2 Corinthians 12:14)—for the needs of others, for the Lord’s work, and for the future needs of you and your family.

Understand, though, that I do have limitations. I don’t last (Psalms 49:10-11; Proverbs 23:4-5), so I’m a poor substitute for the things that do—things the Bible calls “enduring riches” (Proverbs 8:18), or “true riches” (Luke 16:11). You can have a lot of me, but still have “nothing” (Proverbs 13:7)—if you’re not “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21), if you don’t have the things that matter most, things like a good name and loving favor (Proverbs 22:1); a generous heart (Proverbs 11:24-25); a peaceful, godly home (Proverbs 15:16-17); righteousness and integrity, and all the other qualities that characterize a “man of God” (Proverbs 16:8; 19:1; 28:6; 1 Timothy 6:11). If you have these things—the things I can’t buy—you are rich, no matter what your bank statement says (Proverbs 13:7; James 2:5; Revelation 2:9).

So use me, but don’t fall in love with me or put your trust in me (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Mark 10:24; Psalms 49:7-9; 52:7). I’m a pretty good servant, but I make a lousy master. Here’s what typically happens to those who get greedy for me, or who “overwork” (Proverbs 23:4-5) to get more and more of me. The word of God can’t produce fruit in them, because it’s been choked by this pursuit (Matthew 13:21-22); they forget God, the very source of everything they have (Deuteronomy 8:11-18; Proverbs 30:9); I become their security blanket, or “strong city” (Proverbs 10:15; 18:11); they do just about anything to get me, no matter how sinful or ille- gal (Proverbs 13:11; 20:17; 22:16; 28:8); they become increasingly ungrateful (Proverbs 27:7); they neglect the needs of those around them, including their family (Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 16:19-31; James 5:1-6); their anxiety (and maybe their blood pressure with it) increases (Ecclesiastes 5:12); and a whole bunch of other bad things (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Put your trust in me, and I’m warning you, it would be “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” than for you to go to heaven (Mark 10:24-25).

So please, make God your master, and me your servant (Matthew 6:24). Use me to serve Him; that way, you’ll always have a place you can call home (Luke 16:9).