Contentment

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.”

– Hebrews 13:5

As any good shepherd does, the author of Hebrews leaves us with some good moral directions. Some practical applications in life. He begins with our character and tells us to let it be without covetousness.

The word being used here for covetousness means “without the love of money.” It means “free from the love of materialism; not over-influenced by the desire for financial gain; non-materialistic.” Christ’s followers are not to be avaricious. This is how the secular world thinks, and we should not be like “the world.”

We are told to be content with what we have. We are to be satisfied in whatever state we are in. The faithful Christ follower finds peace in whatever circumstance because the focus is on Christ. When we push and strive for more, our attention may only be on ourselves and our skills and abilities. If that is the case, our faith and trust in Christ have diminished.

The Bible says, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16). Do you find yourself wrestling inside? Maybe you are confused and think, “Why does that person have more than me?” Or perhaps you think, “I want what that person has. I want to live like they do.” Be careful; you may get what you wish for and neglect your Savior.

“If you want immediate wealth, fullness, laughter, and popularity, you can get it, but there is a price to pay: that is all you will get. Jesus did not say that these things were wrong. He said that being satisfied with them is its own judgment.”

– Warren Wiersbe