HEBREWS 13:5-6

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.”

 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

TO PONDER

As I read our scripture for today the First, Ninth and Tenth Commandments immediately 'jump out at me'. To have a love of money or other material possessions will certainly mean that we are failing in any endeavour to keep the First Commandment as in Luther's Small Catechism we are told that we should "honour, love and trust God more than anything else". Equally, if we covet our neighbours house or we desire someone else's husband, wife or are envious of someone else's assets or possessions then we are in breach of the Ninth and Tenth Commandments.

When our focus is not in the right place or our priorities are in the incorrect order, then our sinful nature as descendants of Adam will bring us into temptation and direct conflict with God's Commandments.

Our scripture tells us to be content with what we have. We should not pursue earthly material possessions when as children of God we have certainty through our risen Lord of the promise to come of eternal life in paradise.  The text further underpins this certainty and should be the foundation of our contentment. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you".  We can confidently proclaim our contentment through our trust in God to meet all our needs and security. We can indeed say (and live) in confidence knowing the Lord is walking by our side to assist us and that nothing can impact His love for us.                 

How often do you revisit Luther's Small Catechism or other biblical tools / references to help you underpin the certainty you have in your risen Lord?  Do that today.  

PRAYER: Heavenly King. Through your never-ending love for me, You have done everything needed for me to be content now, here on earth and in my Heavenly home that awaits me. Help me to be a living witness of the certainty that I have through your resurrection.  Amen  

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping