Freedom From the Love of Money (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Children's Lesson (click here)

I. Trauma and Temptation

As we look together this morning at the book of Hebrews, think with me about one of the final verses from chapter 10: verse 34. This is what the writer tells his readers as he seeks to remind them about (v. 32) “the former days... after you were enlightened”. He writes in 10:34...

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

“...The plundering of your property”. That phrase raises lots of questions, doesn't it? Who was responsible for this “plundering”? Why did it happen? And what exactly was taken? Well, unfortunately, the book provides us with no additional information. All we know is that these believers “joyfully accepted” that injustice. Why? Because, unlike the possessions of this world, they trusted that God had a better possession for them, something that would abide.

But it doesn't seem like a stretch to suggest that that kind of economic suffering, the financial trauma they endured, left some of these believers more open to the kind of temptation described in our main text this morning. That main text is Hebrews 13:5-6. Turn there if you haven't already.

II. The Passage: “Be Content with What You Have” (13:5-6)

The final chapter of this book is filled with instructions on a variety of practical, everyday topics: showing hospitality, visiting those in prison, marriage, church leaders. Verses 5-6 of this chapter are no exception. Look with me at the topic addressed by the author in these verses. Verse 5...

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Could their financial trauma have left them even more vulnerable to temptations like this? Maybe so. Either way, notice that the author provides two commands in v. 5, followed by two quotations from the Old Testament. The commands go hand in hand: first, “keep your life free from love of money”, and second, “be content with what you have”. Why don't we tackle that first command by looking together at how the rest of Scripture can help us unpack that phrase, “love of money”. Let me suggest three biblical ideas about that topic...

First, “love of money” is not ultimately about money. Unlike some believers and teachers, the Bible does not shy away from talking about money. In fact Scripture contains over 2300 verses that discuss money, wealth, and possessions. You might think, “Okay, but's that probably more of an OT kind of thing, right.” Actually, no. With the exception of the kingdom of God, Jesus talked about money, wealth, and possessions more than any other subject. Almost half of his parables tackle that topic.

But when I say, “'love of money' is not ultimately about money”, what does that mean? It means that the author of Hebrews is not saying, “Keep your life free from money”. He is not encouraging his readers to pursue lives of abject poverty for Jesus. Money itself is not the issue.

You see, when it comes to wealth, Scripture presents us with a very nuanced view. For example, Psalm 112:3 says this about “the man who fears Yahweh” (v. 1): “Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Similarly Proverbs 10:22 teaches that “the blessing of Yahweh makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Now, the Bible does not teach that wealth is the only way God blesses us, or even that such a blessing is for everyone. But it is clear that “if riches increase, set not your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:10) It condemns the "...the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches” (Psalm 52:7). And those warnings lead us to our next biblical truth...

Second, “love of money” is a dangerous desire. In addition to OT warnings about wealth, it's abundantly clear from the Gospels that Jesus regularly warned his listeners about the dangers of greed, of materialism. He declared in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (NIV) The Apostle Paul also warned disciples about such temptations. Listen to how many warnings are packed into these two verses in 1 Timothy 6...

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (6:9-10)

Though God does bless us with good things to enjoy, we cannot let our guard down when it comes to the temptations that are always present when it comes to money and possessions. Look again at that list from 1 Timothy 6:9-10. That hunger to get and possess more is “a snare”, which leads to “many senseless and harmful desires”, which in turn “plunge people into ruin and destruction”. That that love is in fact a “root” that sprouts all sorts of other evils, and because of this “craving”, some confessing Christians have even “wandered away from the faith”. Contrary to the philosophy of the film “Wall Street”s main character, Gordon Gecko, 'greed is NOT good'.

Third [and most concerning], “love of money” is a form of false worship. Though we often struggle to see the issue through this shocking lens, the most dangerous thing about this “love of money” is that it offers us a rival god. Jesus was crystal clear about this when he declared...

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." [Luke 16:13]

The showman P.T. Barnum, made a similar observation: "Money is in some respects like fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master." The same is true with “love of money”. As we heard earlier from Psalm 52:7, David condemned "the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches”. That's ultimately a statement about idolatry, isn't it? “Love of money” is an expression of trust, of faith, in the power of wealth; in the power of our bank balance or credit limit, or in our possessions, to reassure us, to make us feel safe or powerful; or to deliver us from difficult situations; even from our foolish decisions.

You see, it's that truth that sets us up for the second command in Hebrews 13:5... “Be content with what you have...”. How is this contentment connected to that sobering, biblical truth about greed as idolatry? Well, just look at the rest of verse 5, and into verse 6...

….be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

True contentment is only possible because of God's promises. Or we might say... The only antidote to the false gods of greed and materialism is faith in the absolute faithfulness of the only true God; the God who lovingly declares in the midst of your neediness, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That's an expression first found in Deuteronomy 31:6, an expression meant to inspire God's people to be “strong and courageous” in light of truly scary circumstances.

Brothers and sisters, friends, God will provide. We don't have to cling to money if we know that He will hold us fast. But as you think about what this means for you, please don't let caricatures deceive you: a lover of money is not just a Mr. Monopoly, 'robber baron' character sitting on a pile of money, or a cutthroat businessman who will do anything to make a buck, or some heiress on a yacht who only lives for her ostentatious displays of obscene opulence. All of us, no matter your current bank account balance, all of us can be tempted and infected by the love of money.

Which of us has not, at some point, purchased things or experiences in order to fill some kind of void inside us? Which of us has not, at some point, turned to money instead of God for a sense of security or control? Which of us has not, at some point, tried to justify our over-working in order to maintain a certain kind of lifestyle? Or if we pivot and talk about positive spending, does our generosity in light of genuine needs and godly goals, does our generosity take its cues from the generosity of God? The generosity of Jesus? Does our spending reflect whether we are walking by faith or by sight? As the writer would go on to say in verse 16 of this chapter, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

“The only antidote to the false gods of greed and materialism is faith in the absolute faithfulness of the only true God.” Is it your desire to know and trust in His perfect provision for your life? Is it your desire to say with the Psalmist in the psalm quoted in v. 6, “Yahweh is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (118:6) If that is your desire, then I have some great news.

III. The Wealth of God's Word

The best way to keep your life free from “love of money” is to make huge, daily withdrawals from the heavenly bank account of God's promises. Wonderfully, we can bring all of our genuine financial needs (and any need we're tempted to wrongly believe money can fix) and find reassurance from the wealth of God's word; not only from the verses quoted in Hebrews 13, but even more so, from verses like Romans 8:31-32. This is what Paul tells us about God's provision...

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

The cross of Jesus is the best proof anyone could ever offer us that we really can trust in the absolute faithfulness of the only true God. For on that cross, God demonstrated the lengths to which he would go to provide for us. And if God gave what was most precious to him in order to meet our most desperate need, why would he not also now provide for our everyday needs? But we have to trust Christ; in who He is and what he did, for he alone is the way to God. You see, through Jesus, all the promises of God are “yes” (2 Cor. 1:20); that includes the promise in Hebrews 13:5. So in our moments of true need and deep financial anxiety, when that temptation to trust in a false god...when that temptation is strongest, we need to stand on that blood-sealed promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” How do you need that reassurance this morning? What about the warnings we've already heard? Where is God, in love, pressing in with a sense of conviction about your relationship with money and things? Please don't ignore His word or grieve his Spirit. We really can be content with what we have, because of the every-thing we have in Jesus. Talk to Him now and, through Jesus, trust him for your every need.