Why are we told to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5)?

Answer

The author of Hebrews emphasized throughout his letter many ways that Jesus is superior and worthy of our faith and love. After recounting a cloud of witnesses “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”, (Hebrews 12:1) who gained approval through their faith “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”, (Hebrews 11:39), the writer challenges readers with a command to be content with what we have: “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'” “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”, (Hebrews 13:5).

The basis of our being told to be content with what we have is in fixing our eyes upon Jesus—the author and completer of the faith “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”, (Hebrews 12:2); in fact, that is the basis of all of the ethical mandates or directions for how we should behave outlined in Hebrews 12—13. We should persevere and not lose heart, responding well to God’s discipline in our lives and encouraging others (Hebrews 12:3-13). We should strive to be at peace with everyone, demonstrating grace and avoiding immorality, just as God has graciously shown us. We must not underestimate the importance of grace, as God regards all of this very seriously (Hebrews 12:14-29). It is within this context that we are encouraged to be satisfied with what we possess “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” , (Hebrews 13:5).

We should consistently demonstrate love towards our fellow believers in Christ “Let brotherly love continue.”, (Hebrews 13:1), and extend affection and hospitality to strangers “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”, (Hebrews 13:2). We are called to support our brothers and sisters in prison and those who are mistreated “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”, (Hebrews 13:3); we are also urged to uphold sexual purity, avoiding fornication and adultery “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”, (Hebrews 13:4). Alongside these ethical directives, the writer emphasizes that we should not be lovers of money. Instead, we are to be content with what we have “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I wiI will never leave you, nor forsake you.” , (Hebrews 13:5). The writer provides a specific reason for our contentment—the principle that God never abandons His people “Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be satisfied with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” , (Hebrews 13:5) and that God is our helper “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear What man shall do unto me.” , (Hebrews 13:6).

Because of God’s abundant grace, we can be content with what we have. We are instructed to keep our focus on Jesus and His provision for us. While we are often tempted to concentrate on our needs or desires, Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and deeply cares for us. He will supply our true needs (Matthew 6:25-33). Because God cares so deeply for us, we can trust that by seeking Him first, He will take care of us.

It is important to understand that God’s promise of provision does not guarantee that we will always receive what we desire. Instead, He assures to provide in our lives that which will help us become more like Christ (Romans 8:28-31). This implies that even in times of hardship and when we feel lacking, God remains faithful. He is supplying what we need for our growth, with the ultimate goal being our resemblance to Christ.

God cares for us, has granted us a new life in Christ, and provides daily for our training and molding (Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5). Equipped with that understanding, we are satisfied with what we have. Recognizing every spiritual blessing that God has bestowed upon us «Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: », (Ephesians 1:3) helps us to actualize contentment in our lives.