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
A popular children’s video tells the story of a lady who had all the necessities of life and more. As she looked about her and saw the many beautiful things others had gathered around them, she became very blue. Soon, she had the opportunity to accumulate even more “stuff” and she went on a buying frenzy. As fast as she could, she surrounded herself with all manner of worldly goods. Finally, she had so much, her new belongings actually tipped her house over and destroyed all of her treasures. By the end of the story she realized it was not “things” that made her happy.
It can be easy to think that material gain will bring happiness. Many people max out their credit cards just to keep up with their neighbors. However, the more they buy, the more they want. Statistics show that a high percentage of people in the United States are consumed with debt.
God’s Word tells us to be content with what we have. Contentment is a state of mind that has little to do with how much or how little we have. Rather, it is the hallmark of one who has peace and a quiet spirit that ultimately only comes from God. As we focus on the Lord and His spiritual blessings, we will find that the part of our nature that is searching for fulfillment will be satisfied.
Lack of contentment can relate to things other than commodities. We can feel dissatisfied with our job, our family, our school, or our station in life. It may be fine to make changes that will make our circumstances more to our liking, but when we are following God, we can be content in each place we find ourselves.
When we have Jesus, we really need nothing else, for He has promised to supply all our needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. We can be happy and content because He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.
In this final chapter of the Book of Hebrews, the writer exhorted the saints to extend love to one another, as they were brothers and sisters in the Gospel. He encouraged them to show hospitality and to remember those who were imprisoned because of the Gospel.
Stressing the importance of fidelity in marriage, he admonished them to be content in any circumstance. He reminded the saints that God would never leave them or forsake them, and they did not need to fear the cruelty of man. More than once in this chapter, the Hebrew Christians were encouraged to honor and obey those in authority in the Gospel, and were warned to beware of false doctrines.
The writer stated that Jesus will never change and that Jesus’ death on the Cross provided sanctification for His people. He brought out that believers were pilgrims on the earth and that Heaven would be their real Home.
The people were encouraged to offer the sacrifice of praise to God and to remember the poor and needy with good works. The Book of Hebrews draws to a close with a plea for prayer and an invocation for the people to be made perfect through Jesus Christ.
(Hannah’s Bible Outlines - Used by permission per WORDsearch)
III. The application: the life we should live because of His life and work
C. Exhortation to walk honorably (13:1-19)
1. In love of the brethren (13:1-3)
2. In purity (13:4)
3. In contentment (13:5-6)
4. In imitation (13:7-8)
5. In right doctrine (13:9-14)
6. In praise and thanksgiving (13:15)
7. In good works (13:16)
8. In obedience to authority (13:17)
9. In prayer (13:18-19)
IV. Conclusion (13:20-25)
A. Closing prayer (13:20-21)
B. Closing exhortation (13:22)
C. Closing greetings (13:23-24)
D. Closing benediction (13:25)
There are many priceless jewels of wisdom in the last chapter of Hebrews. If we remember to love, serve, praise, and obey, the treasure shall be ours.
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