Be Content

The New Testament writers often linked sins of impurity (Heb. 13:4) with sins of covetousness (v. 5). Such is the case here. Hebrews 13:5a says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." The NIV says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (so also the NASB).

The covetous man thinks only of himself and pursues his sin, whether sexual or financial or whatever it is, without regard for anyone else. Everything is selfish, without any regard for others. Even when he shows love to another, it is all about what he can profit. So verse 5 warns against the love of money and urges us to be content with what we have.

Remember, covetousness is an attitude of the heart. You don't have to acquire a lot of things to be covetous. In fact, you don't actually have to collect anything at all. To be covetous has to do with wanting things to the point of longing for them, setting your thoughts and attention on them to the point of becoming completely obsessed with attaining those things whether you actually acquire them or not.

It also has to do with obsessing over things someone else has, desiring to acquire those things at any cost. Hence, the tenth commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17).

It is a form of the law of diminishing returns: a principle of increasing desire and decreasing satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." The more you acquire, the more you desire. The having never catches up with the wanting.

For the believer, covetousness is needless. Why? Because God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Heb. 13:5b). These words point to the reliability of God. He has your back. He has promised to be there for you at all times, meeting your every need. Therefore covetousness in all forms is useless. It is satisfaction with God's provisions that must characterize every believer. Come what may, security comes from God, not material wealth or any other material possession. "Be content with what you have" (v. 5a, NIV).

When we trust God and not material things, "we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (v. 6). When we have the Lord, we have it all. Nothing else matters. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." Amen.