READ: Heb. 13:1-7 … be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”…
The author elaborates on how to shape one’s life, living in peace and sanctification through God’s grace. This is also crucial during difficult times. It should be manifest in mutual brotherly love within the church (v.1).
Also, it involves showing hospitality to unknown brothers and sisters who come from afar. Paul experienced this hospitality as an expression of brotherly love. Without knowing it, you might even host angels (v.2)! Even despised and oppressed fellow believers deserve extra love, even if you don’t have much (v.3). Consider what this would mean for yourself if you were in such a situation!
A warning is also necessary regarding sexual relations (v.4). Affliction is not a license for believers to cross the boundaries set by God concerning sexuality. His judgment will come upon such actions.
It’s also important to heed the warning against yielding to Mammon (v.5). There should be no envy toward those who have more. There should also be no greed to constantly want more. What is most important in this life? Isn’t it that you are a child of God and receive everything you need in His service? Isn’t it also that He is close to you in all things and keeps you from harm? How can you then serve two masters, God and Mammon (Matt. 6:24)? You then fall into idolatry (Col. 3:5).
Be content with what you have (1 Tim. 6:10, Phil. 4:11,12). Instead of placing trust in money and possessions, we must place our trust in God (v.6). He says to us, just as He said to Joshua for encouragement: I will certainly not leave you nor forsake you. Let us also remember what Ps. 23:1 says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
In verse 7, the conduct and the end of life of those who have spoken God’s word are set as an example for the readers. They remained faithful to the end and testified to their faith and the hope within them. May the Lord grant this to us as well.
Can you say of yourself that you are content?
Singing: Ps. 23:1