Hebrews 13:5
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.Hebrews 13:5
What does Hebrews 13:5 mean?
This verse instructs believers to live free from the love of money, being content with what they have, grounded in God's promise never to leave or forsake them. Contentment here is directly tied to the security of God's presence, not to circumstances.
Context
This verse comes from the closing practical instructions of Hebrews, addressed to Jewish Christians facing pressure and hardship for their faith. The promise quoted — 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' — echoes God's words to Joshua (Joshua 1:5) and Moses' charge in Deuteronomy 31:6, applied here to everyday contentment.
Key themes
Related Bible verses
Bible study
- Why do you think this verse connects contentment specifically to freedom from the love of money?
- How does the promise 'I will never leave thee' address the root of discontentment, rather than just its symptoms?
- Where do you struggle most with contentment, and how does this promise speak to that?
Prayer
A short devotional prayer inspired by this verse — not scripture
Lord, You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. Let that security be the root of my contentment, not my circumstances or possessions. Amen.
Memorize this verse
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does the promise in this verse come from?
It echoes God's words to Joshua (Joshua 1:5) and Moses' charge to Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, applied here in Hebrews to everyday contentment and freedom from the love of money.
Who was the book of Hebrews written to?
It was written to Jewish Christians facing pressure and hardship for their faith, which shapes the practical, encouraging tone of its closing instructions.