January 20, 2026
5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God said ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.
6 So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” – Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
Verse Breakdown
Verse 5: Command to be Content:
- ”Keep your lives free from the love of money…”. The Greek word used here isn’t talking about the currency itself; it is referring to an unhealthy attachment to material things or greed. It implies that when we prioritize wealth and material belongings it can lead to a loss of faith and moral and ethical conduct.
- ”…and be content with what you have,”. Contentment is the internal peace we have when we realize that God’s provision is enough for our needs. It is the “spiritual antidote” to coveting.
- ”…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” This promise, also an Old Testament promise .given to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) and Joshua 1:5 (NKJV)) is the foundation for contentment. In the original Hebrew and Greek, this promise uses five negatives for emphasis. It is essentially saying “There is no way, under any circumstances, at any time, that I would ever, ever desert you.” It leaves no room for loopholes: no matter what you have done (past), no matter what you’re feeling right now (present) and no matter what happens to you in the future.
Verse 6: A Confident Response:
- ”So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” Here, they are quoting Psalm 118:6 (NIV). This verse states the results of believing the promise in verse 5. When a person relies on God as their “helper”, not material possessions or money, they are freed from the fear of “lack and loss”.
- ”What can mere mortals do to me?” This is a rhetorical question, or one that doesn’t need to be answered. It is saying that even though people can take away earthly possessions, they cannot take away our primary security: the eternal presence of God.
Essentially, Hebrews 13:5-6 is teaching us that contentment is not having everything we want, but realizing that we have everything we need in God. When we truly believe God will never abandon us, the fear of lacking money and material possessions, or facing human opposition loses its power over our lives.
The Never Forsaking God
In the quiet hours of the night, our minds are not so quiet. The worry we feel speaks in the language of negatives. It tells us: “What if I lose my job?” “What if my health fails and I get sick?” “What if I end up alone?” Worry is the fear that something we see as completely essential or important, will be taken away; leaving us empty-handed and abandoned.
Hebrews 13:5-6 introduces our “what-ifs” to a powerful “I will”.
The passage begins by addressing our relationship with money and possessions. We often hold on to material things because they feel like a shield against the world. Meaning that we use possessions to create a sense of safety, control, and emotional security against a world that generally feels unpredictable and threatening. When we use material things they can be lost to the “elements”-moths, rust, etc.. When we use them as shields, we are trying to, ultimately, find safety in something that is temporary.
The author reminds us that true security isn’t found in a bank account-it’s found in a Person. The reason we can be content with “what we have” is because of Who we have.
When stress tells us that we are on our own, this verse is an anchor that keeps us from drifting. Stress says, “I have to handle this.” Faith says, “The Lord is my helper.” When we shift our focus from our problems to His presence, the fear of “mere mortals” and earthly circumstances begins to shrink. If the Creator of the universe is standing beside us, really, what is there left to fear.
Challenge for Today: Are you waiting for a specific circumstance to change before you feel safe? Find your safety in God’s presence instead of your bank account or your to-do list. Grab a sticky note, index card, or piece of paper and write: “Never alone; Never forsaken”. Put it on your mirror, computer, in a purse/wallet-anywhere you have access to it throughout the day. Let it be a reminder that when a worried thought enters your mind, you don’t have to be absorbed by it. You are never alone and never forsaken. The Lord is your helper; you don’t have to be afraid.
Heavenly Father, I admit that my heart often wanders toward worry and fear. I try to find security in things I can touch and see, rather than Your steady hand and unconditional love. Thank You for the promise that You will never, ever leave me. When my heart is anxious, remind me that You are my Helper, standing right beside me. Today, I trade my stress for Your peace, knowing that because You are with me, I have everything I need. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
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