13:5-6 How are we to understand what is said here?
13:5-6 How are we to understand what is said here?
This is teaching that godliness with sufficient material blessings to meet our everyday needs should make us content with life.
Money and the abundance of material things do not give life meaning, and thus cannot bring real happiness (CP Psa 37:16; Pr 15:16; 30:7-9; Ecc 5:10-17; 6:9; Jer 45:5; Lu 12:13-15; Ro 12:16; Php 4;11-13; 1Ti 6:6-10).
The word conversation in He 13:5 (KJV), means manner, or way of life. The Christian's way of life has to be without the desire for more than that which will satisfy their everyday needs.
This is what Jesus meant in Lu 12:15 when He said that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Covetousness and financial fear are overcome by a contentment founded upon the assurance of God's constant presence (CP He 13:5 with Gen 28:15; De 31:6-8; Josh 1:5; 1Chr 28:20).
What God is saying in effect in these scriptures is that "there is absolutely no way whatsoever that I will ever, ever leave you".
Believers can be content in every situation because of this promise and we can boldly respond to our circumstances as He 13:6 says "... the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man can do to me".
Believers also have God's promise throughout scripture to provide for their needs (CP Ex 23:25-26; Psa 23:1; 34:9-10; Mt 21:22; 2 Cor 9:8; Php 4:19).
See also comments on Mt 6:24, 19:23-26, Lu 12:13-15, 12:16-21, 12:33-34, 16:19-21, 1Cor 10:14-22, 2Cor 12:4; 1Ti 6:6-10.