More of God: The Essence of True Contentment
Written by Sharon Wooden
Scripture: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as ye have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)
In a world where success is often measured by what we accumulate—whether it's wealth, recognition, or social media followers—we are constantly tempted to chase after more. Yet, Hebrews 13:5-6 redirects our focus, teaching us that there is no need for this pursuit because Jesus is always with us, and He is what we need the most.
Jesus' Sufficiency Over Worldly Desires: This scripture calls us to reject covetousness, urging us to find contentment in what we already have. It's not about having less or more of the world; it's about recognizing that Jesus' presence in our lives is the ultimate treasure. When we hunger for more of Him rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world, we discover true contentment.
Success Redefined: The world might define success by titles, degrees, or the digits in our bank accounts, but Hebrews redefines it through contentment with Jesus. The Apostle Paul learned, as he says in Philippians 4:11, "to be content in whatever state I am." This contentment comes from knowing that Jesus is enough, regardless of external circumstances.
The Unending Presence of Jesus: Hebrews assures us with a profound promise: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." This promise is the bedrock of our peace. With Jesus always by our side, there's no need to covet or cover ourselves with worldly accolades or possessions because His presence is our covering, our security, and our greatest need met.
Living Boldly with Jesus: Knowing Jesus is our helper, we can live boldly. This boldness isn't rooted in self-sufficiency or worldly achievement but in the confidence that comes from His unending support. We don't need to fear the opinions or actions of others because our security isn't in human approval but in the eternal companionship of Jesus.
Application: Let us cultivate a hunger for more of Jesus rather than more of the world. This hunger should lead us to daily communion with Him through prayer, scripture, and reflection on His presence and promises. Let us measure our lives by the peace we find in Him, not by external successes.
In this way, we embody Hebrews 13:5-6, understanding that with Jesus, there is no need to cover ourselves with anything else, for in Him, we have all we truly need.
