Hope and Change Explained

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.”

We look around us day in and day out, children being murdered, molested, being used as toys for people with illicit intent. There are people so far out of their minds trying to self-medicate themselves so they do not feel the pain they have endured. People around the world are being persecuted for the way they are and the way that they believe.  We have political entities that are telling us that the way we believe and think are wrong, or that we said something that was inappropriate. If we smile at someone it could be taken the wrong way, a sexual advance, maybe you’re just racist, not implying that you are just sharing the love that was given us. The surroundings that we have to put up with on a daily basis seem to be overwhelming. One thing I always remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. In this bible verse we can break it down into a few different parts the love of money, being content, and that He is there for you.

To begin with, money, we ask what did Jesus say?    Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Jesus told us that loving money is like having another master that we devote our lives to. It does not say that are not supposed to work, it says quite the opposite. In Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. We are told that we are to pay our taxes, pay those we owe and respect and honor those that are due respect and honor. If we have to pay taxes and our debts that obviously means that having a job and making money is not evil. It is when we revere money over everything else is when it becomes the problem.  For example; your spouse and children are expecting you home for an amazing night with the family however you stay to make some extra money so you cancel and work a few extra hours. You have now put money before your family, that is not saying that making a few extra dollars is evil, but if you do not have to work be content with what God has given you. It is when we put the search for that extra dollar over everything else in our life including family, ourselves and worst God. This is when we become entangled with a love for money over the love of everything else. In the bible it says to love your neighbor: Luke 10:27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” it does not say love your money. So when we love money so much we are breaking one of His commandments, Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” And do not forget what Jesus said above in Luke 10:27 love Him with everything inside and out. We must remember that even 2000 years ago there were those that tried to teach that following Jesus was not for financial gain in 1 Timothy 6: 4-5 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. In our society today we have a few that still try to teach this financial doctrine/theology we are reminded  in 1 Timothy 6: 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. We need to remember to be happy with what we have, just be content.

Furthermore, being content with what we have is a virtue we should all work to attain. When we examine contentment we see there is hope: 2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. So what is being content? The Merriam dictionary defines being content as:  freedom from worry or restlessness :  peaceful satisfaction. Paul formally known as Saul left his life of Jewish servitude and comfort: Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today”. The bible says Gamaliel was a teacher Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people.  At that time in history not just anybody would receive teaching except for a select few. Paul left this life and told people to be happy with what you have: Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. When we want what others have and are not satisfied it is call coveting. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” We are reminded by Paul that we should watch so that we do not get snared into the deception that money makes everything better and all your worries disappear. Truth is; even the rich worry and want more, the want of money can turn into a state of mind that devours your entire being. 2 Timothy 6:6-10 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. Just be content with what you have and look to him for hope know that He is there for you: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

            Third, when we do not forsake Him He will not forsake us. The definition of forsake is: to renounce or turn away from entirely. God through Jesus Christ has given us the ultimate sacrifice, salvation through the blood of His Son. Matthew 1:21 “and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” We are shown that through this sacrifice that He has not and will not turn away from us. With this bible verse Hebrews 13:5 I will not leave you or forsake you; we are told throughout the entire bible and have been reassured that He is there and will take care of us. 2000 years ago the Israelite’s where sacrificing animals to cover the sins that they had committed even those people that were “good people;” there has only been one human on this earth who was perfect and free of sin, his name Jesus. Jesus was sent as a sacrifice to cover those sins that through the law could never be covered no matter how many sacrifices that were given. Hebrews 9: 11-14 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! From the beginning to the end of the bible we have been guaranteed that God is there to take care of us. From Genesis 28:15 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” And as we near the end of the bible in the final chapter we are reminded once again that He has and always will have or back Revelation 1:17-18 “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

In conclusion; we have a hope that it will get better because we know the gift that was given us through Jesus Christ. John 3:16-18 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned. We have been given this gift to comfort us letting us know that God has told us from the beginning that He is there for us, has not forgotten us and will be here for all eternity wanting His people to be with Him in heaven. Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”