Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with
what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor
forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from love of money. It doesn’t matter whether you have much or little, the love of money may live in the hearts of the rich as well as in the hearts of the poor. There are two main reasons why we give room to the love of money. The first is unfulfilled material desires and the second is fear.  With regard to the first reason, our verse gives us wise counsel. With regard to the second, it gives us a wonderful promise.

Be content with what you have. It is said that one fulfilled desire immediately creates ten new desires. If we allow our material desires to drive us, we will not have much rest. Jesus does not want our lives to be a hectic treasure hunt, in particular, not for things that we may not even need. Your time and your inner strength can be invested far better in His kingdom. Therefore, be content with what you have. There were times when even the apostle Paul faced need (Phil 4:12). We may experience the same. But most times the Lord provides and often gives more than what we need. And by the way, He knows the desires of our hearts and loves to surprise us by giving us these little extras. Haven’t you found that to be true?

For He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The one certain thing about the future is that it is uncertain. Uncertainty creates all kinds of fears. And for some reason we think that money provides a soft cushion to rest on, that it protects us from future harm. The rich fool was convinced, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry (Luke 12:19). Not only is this thinking wrong, but it also leads us to put our confidence in an idol. And the Lord Jesus does not want us to do this and lose. He wants us to put our trust in Him, who is firm like a rock and faithful like a good friend. He knows our fears and gives us His firm promise; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

His promise is true and dependable in all circumstances! Political and economic situations may change for the worse, but His promise stands solid at all times. Old age may bring pain and difficulties, but His hand will carry you through. Loved ones may die, but He is at your side, comforting and helping. Good people may let you down when you need them the most, but Christ will never forsake you. Whatever the future may bring, when this promise rules the heart, fear has to flee. “During the course of his ninety-three years, George Müller housed more than 10,000 orphans, ‘prayed in’ millions of dollars, travelled to scores of countries to preach the gospel, and recorded fifty thousand answers to prayer.”1  You serve the same Lord! His promise of provision is also true for your life and ministry! Try it! Trust it!

1 Robert J. Morgan, On this day in Christian History, April 11
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This article first appeared in our Spring 2020 National Newsletter.