The Hebrew writer certainly strikes a strange note for men and women living with the material values of the 21st century, when he states, “Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5). He wasn’t saying that having money is a sin, but it can be a problem "if" we allow it.Our world has bought into the myth that riches and contentment go together, that they’re compatible with one another. Yet, many wealthy people who boast large bank accounts are not content. They always want more, and they live in dread that they will lose what they have (cf. Proverbs 27:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8; Ecclesiastes 2:18-20).
If after reading the phrase, “Be content with such things as you have,” we were to ask ourselves, “What things do we have?” Would we immediately think of what’s in our savings account or stock portfolio? If so, we’re looking in the wrong place. The writer of Hebrews said that if we live, having faith in the Lord, we have Him. He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). If we have Him, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
If we have everything else but the Lord, we don’t have much at all. However, if we have the Lord’s presence and little else, we can be content.
Beloved, it’s far better to have a satisfied soul than a thick wallet (Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:3-8).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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