Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.
Hebrews 13:5-9
Scripture Notes
There are six exhortations concerning various Christian graces that believers should develop. The first is love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, recognizing our kinship to the Savior. Second, we should show hospitality to strangers, regardless of whether they are fellow believers. Third, we are to remember those who are imprisoned and mistreated, setting aside judgments about associations and acknowledging them as image bearers and children of God. Fourth, we must honor marriage and take our marital vows seriously. Fifth, we should ensure our character is free from the love of money, and the sixth encouragement is to cultivate a life of contentment.
We are often reminded to be cautious of the love of money and encouraged to be generous with whatever we have been given financially. However, in a capitalistic society where money commands so much attention and power, this exhortation is easy to read about but almost impossible to follow. For one thing, money has many different names: economy, wealth, legacy, capital, investment, equity, savings, and income are just a few that come to mind. When making decisions about our faith, our homes, and our lives, are we allowing one of these synonyms for money to guide us?
Instead of getting caught up in the hustle of making money, we are called to be content with what we have. What we believers possess, no one can buy. We have accepted the gift of grace, which is eternal life. No amount of earthly wealth can pass through the golden gates. Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8 encourages us not to lose sight of the greatest riches a person can have: the unrelenting and trusting care of our Creator, who will never abandon us. Psalm 118:6-7 is also quoted to emphasize our reassurance in the Lord and His ability to protect and provide for us.
Prosperity theology promotes the idea that wealth and good health are God’s will, and prosperity results from strong faith and investment in church ministry. However, the wisdom literature of Job teaches us that a godly person can be rich yet have everything taken away despite their goodness and faithfulness. This type of theology also turns people’s attention inward, fostering a desire for material wealth instead of spiritual growth. Trickle-down economics serves a similar motivation, encouraging those who wish to benefit from the system to give more money to those who already have money, enabling them to generate more wealth that will then extend to others. This economic focus also turns individuals inward, relying on themselves and the influence of other wealthy individuals to gain more money and power. However, in biblical teaching, we are told time and time again to help and serve the poor and not to favor those who are wealthy (James 2:1-9).
Content does not mean that we give up and not try our best. On the contrary, we are told to work as if we work for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24), but instead of gaining wealth, we are acting in gratitude for a gift that supersedes any salary or bonus. We are given eternal life not because we deserved or even earned it but simply because we believe and follow Christ. Contentment and living a sacrificial life is counter-culture to say the least, to the hustle and bustle of the survival of the fittest mentality we are surrounded by.
So, what are we to do? Hebrews 13 continues to remind us to follow the example of our leaders, who spoke the word of God and who remain good models even after they have passed on. Furthermore, even though great leaders have come and gone, Jesus is the unchanging leader, the perfect example to whom we should entrust our needs. He was in the beginning and spoke creation into existence. He is with us now and forever, never changing and never failing those who call on Him. We can find contentment in Christ because He is at the pinnacle of what is to be desired. Nothing in this world can compare to the love and sacrifice of our Savior, who loves us and will never forsake us.
MEMORY VERse
Image: Minnetta Good. Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, 1939. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Related Verses
More verses about working for the Lord:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- How can you cultivate contentment in your daily life, especially during times of struggle?
- How do you proactively ensure that your relationship with money is healthy and not full of discontentment or overshadowing everything in your life?
- How do you respond to the promise of God’s faithfulness with full trust and reliance on his provision and protection?
- How can you improve your current approach to money and contentment?
Cover Image: Unidentified artist. Branch of Tree with Fruit, Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The Metropolitan Museum of Art
MANÁ 
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