“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.’”

                                                                                                                 Hebrews 13:5 NIV

 

It’s time to trust God’s provision!

In today’s world, it’s difficult not to get all churned up about finances. Everything revolves around whether or not we have enough money. For decisions regarding things from groceries to vehicles to houses to kid’s activities to tithe, we look to our check book (and sadly our credit cards) and say “Money, may I?”

 

The writer of Hebrews is trying to help us see it shouldn’t be a question of money, but a question of faith. He’s reminding us that no matter what happens, even financially, God is always there for us. What more could we ask for! Now let’s be honest—we are to be good stewards of what we’ve been given. We aren’t to spend willy-nilly (in a careless or unplanned way) and then run to God for the mortgage.

 

The King James’ version puts the first part of the verse this way: “Let your conversation be without covetousness.” Don’t struggle to “keep up with the Joneses” or anyone else, for that matter. Don’t talk about wanting all the time. Is it okay to have wants? Of course it is, but they can’t rule us.

 

If we stay clear of letting the wants of life control us, God will be able to be God in our lives. Remember Matthew 6:24?—“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” That’s a bottom-line look at the real issue!

 

We need to learn to be content with what we have, whether it’s a lot or what only seems like “just enough.” The parable of the talents becomes a great example of wisdom regarding wealth. Don’t hoard, spend wisely, and give out of the abundance of God’s generosity towards us. Yup, God will ask the “just enoughers” to give, too! Can we trust Him with our wealth? or Can we trust Him with our poverty?

 

God knows the issue of money looms large in our lives. He understands the issue will not go away, and that we’ll always deal with the amount of control we’ll allow it to have. Through the writer of Hebrews, God reminds us of the bigger issue—His promise to us, not just when it comes to money, but when it comes to every issue in our lives: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

 

So when it does come to money, will we put our trust in the “almighty dollar,” or will we trust Almighty God?

 

 Reminder: God’s promise to always be with me covers my financial state, too.