Have you ever noticed that simple concepts though often well-known and even thoroughly discussed and examined from every angle possible, are often thoroughly ignored? At least in practice?
Hebrews 13:5-6
The book of Hebrews is a wonderful book and even though the author of the book is unknown, we can rest assured that it is God's Word and as such is true and trustworthy. In this passage the author first states a command, "let your conversation be without covetousness." Depending on which version of the Bible you are using, you will find words such as "life" and "character" and "conduct" in place of "conversation;" the author is refering not just to our speech (though our speech is a major part of it) but our entire life and lifestyle. Even our character (character can be defined as who we are and what we do/think when no one else is watching).
The author then states another command "and be content with such things as ye have." This command is quite simple, "be content" yet it is so often very difficult to carry out. This command is not conditional upon what we have, it is not conditional upon what our neighbors have, it is not conditional upon what we don't have. Most people have so much more than they could ever need and yet how often we are discontent with what they have because they do not have the latest version or model, or because it is too big or too small or not mobile enough, not new enough, not old enough, not fancy enough or not plain enough.
But then comes the profound part; why are we to be content? Why are we not to be covetous? Because God has promised that He will always be with us; He will never leave us nor will He forsake us!!! Because of this I am to be content: Jesus is all I ever need. He is the completion of life! Because of this promise we can then say that the Lord is our helper and we do not have to fear men and whatever they may do to us. Mocking, being made fun of, torture, death, being ignored, being overlooked for job promotions, whatever it may be I do not have to fear for God is with me; whatever the cost I must be content, not looking to what other people have and being incontent; whatever the cost it is worth it for I have Christ! Without Christ life is hopeless and meaningless; with Christ it has all the meaning in the world and there is hope for the future.
The question is, when all else is gone is Christ enough? Everything else will fade away, is Christ enough? When I don't get what I want, is Christ enough? When I pay a price for my faith, is Christ enough? Is all else, occupation, things, food, even family secondary to Christ?
The answer to all of these questions is emphatically "YES!!!"
The real question then is, "Do I truly live that way?" The answer to that question is difficult; unfortunately I cannot say that I always do.
Do you truly live that way? In contentment, recognizing that Christ is all that truly matters; when all else is gone, is Christ enough?
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." So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."I was reading this passage the other day and one of these simple yet profound concepts suddenly stood out to me.
The book of Hebrews is a wonderful book and even though the author of the book is unknown, we can rest assured that it is God's Word and as such is true and trustworthy. In this passage the author first states a command, "let your conversation be without covetousness." Depending on which version of the Bible you are using, you will find words such as "life" and "character" and "conduct" in place of "conversation;" the author is refering not just to our speech (though our speech is a major part of it) but our entire life and lifestyle. Even our character (character can be defined as who we are and what we do/think when no one else is watching).
The author then states another command "and be content with such things as ye have." This command is quite simple, "be content" yet it is so often very difficult to carry out. This command is not conditional upon what we have, it is not conditional upon what our neighbors have, it is not conditional upon what we don't have. Most people have so much more than they could ever need and yet how often we are discontent with what they have because they do not have the latest version or model, or because it is too big or too small or not mobile enough, not new enough, not old enough, not fancy enough or not plain enough.
But then comes the profound part; why are we to be content? Why are we not to be covetous? Because God has promised that He will always be with us; He will never leave us nor will He forsake us!!! Because of this I am to be content: Jesus is all I ever need. He is the completion of life! Because of this promise we can then say that the Lord is our helper and we do not have to fear men and whatever they may do to us. Mocking, being made fun of, torture, death, being ignored, being overlooked for job promotions, whatever it may be I do not have to fear for God is with me; whatever the cost I must be content, not looking to what other people have and being incontent; whatever the cost it is worth it for I have Christ! Without Christ life is hopeless and meaningless; with Christ it has all the meaning in the world and there is hope for the future.
The question is, when all else is gone is Christ enough? Everything else will fade away, is Christ enough? When I don't get what I want, is Christ enough? When I pay a price for my faith, is Christ enough? Is all else, occupation, things, food, even family secondary to Christ?
The answer to all of these questions is emphatically "YES!!!"
The real question then is, "Do I truly live that way?" The answer to that question is difficult; unfortunately I cannot say that I always do.
Do you truly live that way? In contentment, recognizing that Christ is all that truly matters; when all else is gone, is Christ enough?
