Living By Desire Not Faith
(Read Hebrews 13)
Money. It’s a topic that pulls a different response from each one of us. I have many shortcomings, but my biggest weakness relating to money is insecurity. It’s not wealth or prestige that seduces me, it’s the comfort of a security blanket or the shivering cold of not having enough. I realize this thinking requires constant correction. It shows a lack of trust in God’s provisions. Essentially, it puts Him second.
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
Plainly said, God tells us to be happy with what we have. The scripture could just end there. Because if we’re content with what we have, we never long for anything else. There is never a damaging thirst to satisfy cravings to have more or to be more.
Sure, we want to be successful in life. Successes in our eyes and the eyes of others. It’s a natural human condition that drives us to be better. We should always examine why we want more. God knows how temptation weakens the soul. He wants us to be satisfied or “relaxed” (as some translations offer) with what we’ve been blessed with. He wants us to stop lusting after temporary, superficial, material things that can never ultimately satisfy us. He knows where that leads.
Actor and comedian, Jim Carrey, who is not known to be a follower of Christ, once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” Rapper Lil Wayne said, “Too much money ain’t enough money.” It’s never enough. It’s not just that we should be content that’s important, but that God will provide. He will never leave or forget us. The Greek translation in verse 5 actually contains 5 negatives. “Not not you will I leave, also not not not you will I forsake” is a more accurate interpretation of that verse.
In Philippians 3:8 the apostle Paul used a harsh alternative word for “garbage” to describe everything else in this world that is not knowing Jesus Christ. Paul said nothing had any value compared to the infinite value of what could be gained by a relationship with Christ. “I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” If we trust in Him, believe in Him, put Him first, we won’t lust for the material things.
There’s an ongoing line from the TV show, “Have You Met My Mother?” that says, “Have you met Ted?” Well, here I would ask, “Have you ever met God?” If we have God, what else on earth do we need? Is there anything else that we’re deprived of in place of God? There are times when I let fear creep into my thoughts and wonder if I can provide forever. Do we have enough? Is it sustainable? What if xxxx happens? What if I lose this job? This longing for temporary security, for more reassurance, is really just a lack of trust. It reminds me that I don’t rest enough of my hope on Jesus.
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6
King David in Psalm 54 also mentions God as our helper. More than anyone else on earth is capable of, God loves us so much that he prevents death from swallowing us up by putting His son on a cross. That’s my kind of helper.
Charles Spurgeon wrote that God helping us is a small thing for Him. “Consider what I have already done. What? Not help you! I bought you with My blood. What? not help you! I died for you. Since I have done the greater, will I not do the lesser things for you?” God has promised over and over again His willingness to walk with us. To help us. That leads me to two questions, are you content with what God has blessed you with? Are you confident in the joy and help of Jesus Christ in your life?
Consider a time when someone you trust betrays you, or when they don’t live up to their promises. It hurts. It leave you empty and even alone. Our response is usually negative and sometimes downright toxic. Confidence in our helper counters these feelings. Confidence in our helper brings us a sense of contentment we can’t get from anyone else. We are programmed to seek stability and happiness. With family and friends there will always be that one time we’re left disappointed, sometimes crushed. With God, our cup runneth over. God’s promise is a promise from the one who cannot fall short. He cannot lie. His promises speak to His sovereignty. If one thing He promised didn’t come true, then none of His promises matter. It would make him a small “g” God. He made all things, He is not the work of human hands or imagination.
I have the sense that no matter how much or how little wealth we have, we will always feel financial pressures. Hebrews says that God provides all that is needed for those who believe. The love of money creates a false love with things we’re not supposed to love. Things that are benefits but not rewards. Dissatisfaction with what we’ve been blessed with by God is a stumbling block and visible demonstration that we are living by desire not faith.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 118:6-7
Key Application:
Are you content with what you have? Is it ever enough? If you have plenty and you’re not wondering about your next meal, stop looking elsewhere for your happiness. If you are struggling, are you confident that Jesus is your helper? Do you feel His saving grace?
To help in our weak human condition, consider praying these three things each night before bed:
- God is there and always ready to help
- With God, I’m fearless no matter what
- Nothing can get to me if I have God as my helper
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.