How does the phrase “be satisfied with what you have” strike you? I confess that it bothers me.
I might be a pretty content guy, but the idea of being satisfied with what I have implies that I shouldn’t be hoping for more . . . a nicer house or a more dependable car or even a fancier cell phone.
Could this satisfaction be an indictment against ambition or a mandate for lethargy? I wonder.
Yet scripture speaks clearly:
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. – Hebrews 13:5 NLT
Because I believe that God’s word is always true whether I like it or not, I have been digging to better understand the “whys” and “hows” of this command. Follow along for what I have been learning:
Why We Should Be Satisfied
1. It’s an antidote to loving money.
If you are struggling with this concept, let me ask you another question: “Do you think it is okay to love money?” I am guessing most of you are saying, “Of course not! We should love God and each other . . . not money!”
Read Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) again: “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.”
The problem is this: being content with our current circumstances is directly linked to not loving money. Stated differently, if we are not satisfied with what we have, we evidently have a love for money. But, the good news is this: When we develop a satisfied mindset, we are liberated from loving money. It is the antidote.
2. We will learn to trust God.
The full verse reads, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” – Hebrews 13:5 NLT
What a promise! But do we believe it? Do I believe it? Am I willing to transfer my love of money to a trust in God? Great question, and here we are getting to the crux of the issue: being satisfied with what we have requires a deep trust in God. That is a good thing.
3. We will live without fear.
The very next verse in this passage reads, “So we can say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”
What do we fear? Losing our jobs? Not getting that next promotion? As long we trust in ourselves or in other people, we are perpetually living on the verge of failure and disappointment. However, if we can learn to trust God, who promises to never fail us or leave us, we have absolutely nothing to fear.
How to Be Satisfied
Remembering that I am writing this to myself as well as to you, here are some bullet point thoughts:
- Be intentional about living with less instead of wanting more.
- When you accumulate more, give more.
- Be thankful for what you already have instead of resenting what you don’t have.
- Know the difference between needs and wants.
- Be satisfied with God’s sufficiency for your needs.
- Distinguish between temporal and eternal. All of our money and possession in this life will pass away. God’s provisions last forever.
You know . . . this idea of being satisfied with what we have is sounding pretty good to me. Doing so will break me free from a love of money, help me develop a deeper trust in God and purge fear from my life.
I am going to go for it. How about you? Leave a comment!
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Great post Bob. Always enjoy your perspectives. Clear and simple from God’s word. Keep up the great work.
In Christ,
Thanks for the encouragement Bob!
I was guilty of this most of my adult life, I always wanted a nice vehicle, brand name clothes, expensive toys or house. I would spend without thinking(would never check my accounts to be careful of wastes spending). I would tell myself that I get paid biweekly and there was always more to spend and not pay bills first but budget them around my spending. It all came crashing down when I lost my house,nice car, and extra expenses but it taught me a hard lesson and I turned my spending around and look for what I need not want. I drive a 18 year old car, don’t buy brand name clothes and check my balance everyday to keep track of my money. I found myself becoming more humble and happy with what I had not what I wanted. I am able to save on groceries without sacrificing food just by watching sales and also not buying the brand but by price.
The New Living Translation over simplifies this verse. The New King James Version reads:
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be satisfied with what you have…
God is not against us wanting and having nice things, He is against us being covetous, which is wanting what belongs to someone else. This is why the verse states – be satisfied with what YOU have.
That being said however, I do agree that we should not LOVE money. We love God, our families, other people.
I try to be content with what I have, if I want something then I save money for it before buying. Most times I either find something else or decide to keep my money in savings for future use.
Good afternoon, Bob.
Thanks for the “Be Satisfied With What You Have” entry today. I’ve been following you for several months now, and enjoy your insights to finances God’s way. My grandmother raised her six children during the depression days as a single mom. She taught them all the principle of tithing. A penny out of every ten cents went into a quart fruit jar on the kitchen table. They never went hungry! Daddy taught me tithing. Daddy and Mother paid tithes on everything that came into their hands. I’m blessed today because I have tried to pass that on to my children and grandchildren. My question for you today is what is your best affiliate recommendations? Thanks for your help.
Hey Tommy, send me a message on our contact form and we can chat further – https://seedtime.com/contact
Needed to read this today – BOTH cars need work ASAP, thankfully my husband was able to fix our dryer and shop vac at no cost and a shredded car belt for $30. Thank you Holy Spirit and Youtube! I came home with 10 free things from the bread store thanks to s friend who wasn’t going to use her punch card (breads rolls bagels etc). God provides!!! Blessings 😀
Love when that happens!!
Fantastic insight, Bob! Scripture is replete with exhortations to be content with what we have. I believe Americans are particularly vulnerable to ambition and greed which negatively impacts our souls. Thanks for faithfully pointing out this blind spot in our worship and service.
Glad it helped Chuck!!
Thanks for the “Be Satisfied With What You Have” entry today.
hanks for your help.
This was short and sweet, right to the point and I loved it!!! Thank you. God bless!
I love and picked out the idea of accumulating more and giving more because i also didn’t understand this scripture when it comes to this. But now i do know what to do with more as i wasn’t sure whether i was doing the right thing by giving more. I do the others and am happy but it’s not easy.
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Perfect timing! One day in prayer I confessed to God, “I don’t want to love money!” I am newly single and really want to simplify my possessions and make a conscious effort to give generously. These points will be a great reminder to put on a post-it note to practice. I want to be a thankful, content person.
Lovely article
Great Post. Thanks For Sharing
I was asking God to show me the reasons why I wake up every morning being so anxious . I even asked myself why am I so anxious. I stumbled unto your email this morning and I must confirm that after I read it I found total peace within myself. I thank the Lord for using you so powerfully to bring this point to life at least in my own life. I feel total peace within as I meditate upon your presentation. I feel that the Lord have used you to download His grace upon me today in order to bring me in a deeper level of trust in Him. May He continue to bless you in His wisdom. Shalom!
Hi, It’s always good following your article. Keep posting them Really a great piece of content. I am daily reading your new article. Keep up the good work.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for sharing this amazing information. God gives us the things that will be good for us. I just say be thankful for everything.
Brilliant Stuff! Thank you for taking the time to post and share, really enjoyed the read!
I think the main point is that Jesus is enough. We need to be satisfied with His presence in our lives. I think the two key words from that verse are TRUST and FEAR. Money gives us a security but as we all know it is a false security. Money gives us a feeling of power but a false power and control. A person can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. Love of money can cause a person to lose their soul according to Jesus. This life is temporary and it must not hold its grip on us!
The job i have right now is not sufficient enough to help me live comfortably.Does that mean i should not be hoping for a better job?
Excellent Info. Very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing
Really nice tips, i like this article
Thank for sharing with us.
Thanks so much Bob, i have gain an extra understanding of the scripture, and the manner you analyse it, is just wow. May the good Lord continue to increase us all as we seek to follow him in spirit and in truth.
Thank you for this info. Very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing and it is Clear and simple.
written very well about your experinced thanks
You missed the biggest point; Our money is not our own, we are stewards of it. Every penny we earn comes from God and is God’s glory. We are not free to use our own money on our lusts! “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” That’s what we need to keep reminding ourselves.