Hebrews 13:5 (KJV), “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.”
Let your conversation be without covetousness. The word conversation in this verse is translated to mean “manner of life, fashion, character”. The word covetousness means “not avaricious or not materialistic". The way we will live our life in word, deed and attire should be be preoccupied with material things rather than spiritual things. Sometimes we can get so absorbed in getting more “stuff” rather than getting more spiritual. Having an excess amount of “stuff” rather than being content with what you have in moderation. One good example is the a conversation my daughter and I had the other day. She asked why we didn’t have a big two story house. I explained to her that while I love two story houses, especially Victorian style, I don’t NEED a two story house. I am happy with having a house that is just the right size and not too big. We have friends who have two story houses and that is fine for them…it fits their needs. But as for me, I prefer the size I have. It is the same with anything that we have in this life. Sometimes we get so caught up in having more of this or more of that when it is really not things that we need. It is okay to have extra wants, but in moderation. As generations have past, we always want more and more stuff. Years ago, the pioneers of this country were content to live with a whole lot less than we do today. It makes a person think about where their priorities lie.
We need to be content with what we have and not try to go overboard or keep up with the Jones’. For Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” In other words, He is saying I am right here with you. I am not going to let you sink into poverty…I am not going to give up on you and leave you high and dry. I am not going to totally abandon you. I am not going to leave you helpless. Matthew 10:29-31 (NIRV) says, “Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. He even counts every hair on your head! So don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus knows the exact number of hairs on your head. And, when a sparrow falls to the ground, He sees and takes care of it. So, don’t you think that He would take the time to take care of your needs? If He has taken the time to count the hairs on your head…it is safe to say that He will make sure you have every thing that you need from day to day. As Philippians 4:19 (KJV) says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He will liberally furnish and supply all your necessities!
So what are your needs and necessities? In Matthew 6:25-30 (NIRV) it says, “"I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes? "Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are? "Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothing. But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers. "If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won't he dress you even better? After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!” God will supply you with a roof over your head, food on your table and clothes on your back, etc. I remember a time when my kids were 3 and 1 years old. My husband had lost his job. We had not told anyone. One of the ladies in the church stopped by and said she was at the store and bought more than she needed and felt impressed to stop by and give us the extras. She had no clue what we were facing, but God did. And, he provided our necessities for that moment in time.
I also believe that we have needs and necessities in our spiritual life. And, God is always ready to supply those as well. Have you ever been going through a time when you felt you needed a word of encouragement and then out of the blue, someone says something to you that was just the thing you needed to hear to up lift you? Having you ever been praying for a spiritual need in your life and though you had not told anyone about it, the Pastor gets up and preaches the answer to your prayer? Those things happen because God cares about your spiritual life also. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV), “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.” He has promised to supply your needs…He WILL do it. And, spiritually, He wants us to make it. He doesn’t want us to be lost for eternity. He waits patiently for us to change our minds and hearts to conform to His nature and will. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV) says, “ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written , Be ye holy; for I am holy” To be holy is to conform to the will and nature of God. Or, to be completely devoted to goodness and righteousness and following the Word of God. It is striving to be like Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
There is more to being a Child of God than coming to church and praying and being good. It involves following the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG) says, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” Sometimes, the Word of God is going to “step on our toes”…showing us things we need to correct. But, it is our guide book or map for this life. So that we can put us together and shape us into what He wants us to be. For he has a task for each of us to do…we need to be thoroughly trained and equipped for each task. And, if we are so absorbed with obtaining more “stuff”, we can not remain focused on being what He needs us to be…we can not reach those we need to reach if we are always trying to live beyond our means. I do not believe that it is the will of God for us to be maxed out on credit cards nor to live off of credit cards. He provides us with jobs that are sufficient for what we need. Living beyond that by charging this or that because we want it is not what he intended for us to do.
Lord, help us to trust you to supply our every need. Help us to live modestly and within our means. I thank you that you have a purpose and reason for everything that we are faced with from day to day. And, I thank you that you have an answer for those things we face. Teach us to be good stewards with the things you have given us and to be content with what we have. Help us not to want excess but desire things in moderation. I thank you for supplying or every need. And, we give you all the glory, honor and praise for the many blessings we have in our lives. In JESUS name, Amen – So be it!
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