The writer of Hebrews continues to remind us of actions that are godly and that we must seek to excel in them. In verse 5 of chapter 13, he focuses on our being content. He uses the word conversation which means conduct. He zeroes in on the sin of covetousness, which is the opposite of being content. The English Standard translation says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said,” “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
The writer teaches us that our conduct should not be about desiring money or things. We are taught from a very young age to push forward. We teach our children to get an education so they can get a good job, so they can make more money, to buy more things. As this desire intensifies the cycle begins. It starts with a desire for more, more ambition, requiring more work, to produce more money, to buy more things. This is the American way, but it is the opposite of God’s way. While there is nothing wrong with having things or having money, it is wrong to allow it to be your chief goal in life. When we are blessed with more, it is so we can serve others and use what He has placed in our hands for His glory. The virtue of being content is foreign to the majority, but it is one way we can keep our focus on God.
In Luke 3:14 we are taught to be content with our wages. A very novel idea today. Of course, we all want increases in our pay. However, if we agree to work for a certain amount we should not be upset if that is our pay. I can honestly say my husband, nor myself, have ever asked for a raise. I believe if we are trusting God and working at our highest level, our work will be rewarded. It is a matter of doing what is right and trusting God for the rest. How does that play out? We show up a few minutes before our appointed time to work, we do what we are asked and do it to the best of our ability. We don’t cheat our employers by texting or taking phone calls on the job. We don’t use the company’s resources for our personal business. We work in a way that gives the right opinion of who we are as a child of the King! I Corinthians 10:31 teaches us to do all to the glory of God. Colossians 3:23 says “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” If this is your attitude and practice for life, God will honor it.
Luke 3:14 “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”
The last part of Hebrews 13:5 gives us the reason we can live a contented life. He supplies what we need most, Himself! We have God with us always. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. People will betray you, disappoint you, leave you, and forget you, but God never will. The creator, the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God loves us more than we can ever imagine. He will be with us. If you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and you do not feel His presence it is you that has moved, not Him.
In Philippians 4:11 Paul is content. He had learned no matter what the conditions are around him to be content. This is a man who was a leader of the Jewish people, well-educated and respected. When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus everything changed. His desire was no longer for power or prestige. He was no longer an avenger for the Jewish religion but was now a slave to the Master. He experienced prison. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used it as an opportunity to witness. He took whatever his circumstances were, good or bad, and used them for God’s glory.
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Contentment is a mindset that comes from being grateful for all that God has done for us. It is not about how much or how little you have. It is about allowing God to hold first place in our lives. Our actions and attitudes are to glorify Him. If He blesses us with much, we are thankful and use it to further the kingdom. If He blesses with little, we use it for His glory. Contentment comes when we think less of ourselves and more of Him. It is an understanding that all we have is on loan to us from the Master, it is not truly ours. Contentment comes when we know that He is all we need, and we pursue Him with a passion that can only be quenched by Him. Are you content in Him? If today everything was stripped away from you is He enough? Would you still praise Him and be thankful or would you be bitter and questioning?
