Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” vs. 5
Hebrews 13:1-8
As the writer to the Hebrews concludes his letter to the Jews who had become Christians, he has some directions for how they shall live their lives. After mentioning the mutual love which binds them together, he advises hospitality toward strangers, a concern for those in prison and puts in a word for faithfulness in marriage. And then he pens an admonition that seems directed at the 21st century. “Keep your lives free from the love of money,” he writes, and we are reminded that believers of every age have been bedeviled by the desire for more stuff in their lives. Oh, that we could be content with what we have! It seems so basic, but it’s enormously difficult to pull off. Rare are those people who manage contentment in our luxury-loving world. Temptations come at us from every direction, from television and streaming services, on our personal devices and in the newspapers. Marketers have reached a high degree of sophistication, and all we have to do is think about something, and behold, we instantly get text messages and emails offering us unbeatable deals. And it’s hard to turn off the desires once they’ve been tweaked! The Shaker hymn nails it: “‘Tis a gift to be simple.” And what a blessing when we can pull it off.
Thought for the Day: What does contentment feel like?
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