A Deep Dive into the Book of Hebrews
The past few weeks have taken me on an unexpected journey and a deep dive into the book of Hebrews. I can feel God pulling me into this single book, revealing nuggets after nuggets of truth. There's so much to unpack that it feels endless.
So much so that I'm now convinced: the book of Hebrews, along with Romans, should be the first few books every new believer studies—including the Gospels, of course.
This week, I want to share a single verse that can change the entire course of how we view our Christian life. It can even settle arguments derived from false doctrines circulating in many churches today.
Here is the verse:
"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
Why is this commandment in Hebrews?
Before I explain about the verse, let’s understand that the book of Hebrews is unique. Its author remains unknown, though many once attributed it to Paul before that theory was debunked. Hebrews is essentially the book that reveals the true reality behind the shadows of the Old Testament—pointing to our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who now sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, still interceding for us. He has replaced the Levitical priesthood entirely.
The book opens with this magnificent declaration:
"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."
The Structure of Hebrews: A Roadmap
For those who want a glimpse of the entire book, here are the chapter themes (using Bible Gateway's subheaders):
Chapter 1: God's Supreme Revelation - The Son Exalted Above Angels
Chapter 2: Do Not Neglect Salvation - The Son Made Lower than Angels - Bringing Many Sons to Glory
Chapter 3: The Son Was Faithful - Be Faithful - Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers
Chapter 4: The Promise of Rest - The Word Discovers Our Condition - Our Compassionate High Priest
Chapter 5: Qualifications for High Priesthood - A Priest Forever - Spiritual Immaturity
Chapter 6: The Peril of Not Progressing - A Better Estimate - God's Infallible Purpose in Christ
Chapter 7: The King of Righteousness - Need for a New Priesthood - Greatness of the New Priest
Chapter 8: The New Priestly Service - A New Covenant
Chapter 9: The Earthly Sanctuary - Limitations of the Earthly Service - The Heavenly Sanctuary - The Mediator's Death Necessary - Greatness of Christ's Sacrifice
Chapter 10: Animal Sacrifices Insufficient - Christ's Death Fulfills God's Will - Christ's Death Perfects the Sanctified - Hold Fast Your Confession - The Just Live by Faith
Chapter 11: By Faith We Understand - Faith at the Dawn of History - Faithful Abraham - The Heavenly Hope - The Faith of the Patriarchs - The Faith of Moses - By Faith They Overcame
Chapter 12: The Race of Faith - The Discipline of God - Renew Your Spiritual Vitality - The Glorious Company - Hear the Heavenly Voice
Chapter 13: Concluding Moral Directions - Concluding Religious Directions
Do you see the magnificent arc? A supreme God made Himself lower to show us the way not only to heaven, but in every manner of conduct. He replaced every shadow of the Law, every ritual, including the priesthood itself. And oh how the Holy Spirit fitted in the subject of our eternal perfect high priest in perfect Chapter 7!
So, having our God opened the doorways to heaven by His own body, we are called to persevere in faith like those mentioned in the Hall of Faith (Chapter 11).
Chapter 12 urges us to lay aside every weight and sin that easily ensnares us, to run the race marked out for us, and to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (I shared this in detail in my previous post.)
Chapter 13 then gives specific instructions on how we should run this race.
Let's return to Hebrews 13:5
"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.'"
The Old Testament Connection: Joshua and the Promise
Now, here's what's fascinating: this verse is quoted several times in Deuteronomy, specifically to Joshua—who is a type of Christ, the Captain of our Salvation.
The name "Joshua" in Hebrew bears the same meaning as "Jesus"—to save.
This promise was spoken to Moses and Joshua multiple times. God spoke it as Joshua was called to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land to possess their inheritance. It was a direct command from the Lord to go and take what was theirs.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, 'Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.'"
"The Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 'Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.'"
This promise was given because Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit. They believed they were well able to overcome whatever obstacles stood before them. Meanwhile, the rest of the spies said they were outnumbered, that they looked like grasshoppers compared to the giants, and that they would all die.
The Contrast: Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
Now here's where it gets interesting. When we bring this verse into our application today, we encounter what seems like contrasting commandments.
On one hand, God commanded Joshua to possess their inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.
On the other hand, Hebrews’ commandment is to keep ourselves free from the love of money.
Which leads to this question:
Should I be content with what I have because He will never leave me? Or should I pursue more possessions like Caleb and Joshua did because He will never forsake me?
What Does "Give Me This Mountain" Mean in the Bible?
Have you heard of sermons that tell us to declare, "Give me this mountain!"? "Don't be afraid to claim what the Lord wants to bless you with—whether it's a job, a house, a car, or that million-dollar contract!" They encourage believers to speak to the mountains and claim them by faith, as they will be bread for them.
The New Covenant Command: Contentment Over Covetousness
Here's my answer: We are simply called to listen to the New Covenant commandment.
Joshua and Caleb pursued the Promised Land because God commanded them to possess it. That was their assignment under the Old Covenant.
Our assignment under the New Covenant? To run the race with perseverance, to be content with what we have, to store up treasures in heaven, and to fix our eyes on Jesus—trusting that He will never leave us nor forsake us. That’s because our inheritance is not on earth but in heaven.
If you examine verses about the love of money, you'll understand that any preacher who constantly misuse the Word to teach that God will bring material blessings as our rightful inheritance is promoting false doctrine—a form of the prosperity gospel.
What Scripture Actually Says About Money and Contentment
"And He said to them, 'Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
But 1 Timothy makes it plain and clear for us:
"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
The Balanced Truth: Provision Without Prosperity Gospel
Having said all this, I believe in my heart that God wants us well-provided for and not be in lack. There will definitely be Christians who are rich—and they are commanded to be rich in good works in return.
But He never promised everyone will be rich. Neither did He say everyone must live in poverty. We are told not to put our security in money- as that is a form of idolatry.
What Does God Actually Want?
What God desires is our continued trust in Him rather than putting our security in mammon that cannot be brought over to heaven. He is still the one who fed the 5000. He is the one who restored Job. He is the one who gave Peter a net-breaking load of fish.
This is why Paul wrote:
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
What Does It Mean to Be Content with What You Have?
Biblical contentment isn't settling for mediocrity or lacking ambition. It's not about being lazy or refusing opportunities God brings.
Rather, contentment means your peace and security aren't dependent on material circumstances. It means:
You can work hard and pursue excellence without anxiety
You can be grateful whether you have little or much
You're not constantly comparing yourself to others
Your identity isn't tied to your possessions or status
You trust God's provision regardless of your bank account
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
But here’s the good news that Jesus preached to the poor:
"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
Does this make you want to be poorer so that you can possess more riches in heaven?