Be content


Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
“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.””

Living in a first world country I see many people struggle with this verse, including myself at times. We see people embezzling, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, doing anything they can to get more money. People are always saying, if I can just make a little bit more I will be content. Being a financial analyst I am always thinking about how decisions I or others make will affect me financially.

I can honestly say that I am content with my current situation. My struggle comes when I think about things, or consider decisions that are going to dramatically change my current situation. Instead of relying on God’s promises and the fact that he will meet my needs; my first inclination is to think about, “what can I do.” The fact is that God has met all of my needs and will continue to meet them. He knows what I need more than I do, and he has me where I am for a purpose.

The first part of the verse is to keep free from the love of money. To be free of the love of money I believe you have to do the second part of the verse and be content with what you have. There are people who trade in their vehicles every few years, buy the newest bow, golf clubs, etc. They feel the need to always have the new model and are never content with the one they have. Living like that fuels the love of money, because you need money to buy those things.

We should really dwell on the end of the verse, God is with us, he will not abandon us. He knows what is best for us. We should praise him for providing for our needs, and be content with the blessings that he bestows upon us. Living in a first world country it is hard to see the luxury that God has blessed us with. The ability to turn a knob in our houses and have drinkable water, the luxury of driving to the store and there being a plethora of food to choose from, and the shelter he provides us with.

Challenge: Look at your life, thank God for meeting your needs and know that he is providing for your needs.

 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

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