"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Today's scripture holds a promise and an exhortation. Looking at the promise, we hear Paul echo the words of assurance to Israel’s children before claiming the promised land. Just as God had not forgotten them, he has not forgotten us. We are his children, and he loves and cares for us. With that knowledge, then let's look at the command, "Keep your lives free from the love of money." He does not say, keep your lives free of money, but the love of it. Let's rephrase the text with a blank, substituting it with what we love. That thing that keeps us from being content. "Keep your lives free from the love of _____ and be content."
God desires for us to make him primary in our lives. To be content with what we have. Do not let whatever is in that blank -- money, sex, alcohol, drugs, even the church -- come between God and us. I'm not talking about good wholesome things, but the things we find a temptation. We can place our trust in God. We have his promise he will not leave us or forsake us. Now that is something we can put in our spiritual bank.
Precious God, we give thanks for your promise. We admit we are not always content with what we have. We feel compelled to have more—this causes a distraction from what is truly important, our relationship with you. Forgive us, and please help us to be content. In our doubt, help us trust in your promise. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
How would you fill in the blank? What do you love?
