Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," isn't just a general comfort for hardship; it's the direct antidote the author gives to the love of money. Because God Himself is our true, unshakeable presence, we don't need to grasp at wealth as our security or meaning.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is urging believers to live a life distinct from the surrounding culture, which was often driven by greed and materialism. Having just discussed faithfulness in marriage and the dangers of false teaching, the focus now shifts to financial integrity and contentment. This is a direct response to the potential hardships and persecutions the believing community might be facing, reminding them that their ultimate security isn't in earthly possessions but in God's unwavering presence.
Why does the Bible warn so strongly against loving money? What does this 'love' look like in our daily lives?
The Inner Disposition
The verse starts with a powerful command: "Keep your life free from love of money." This isn't just about not stealing or being greedy; it's about guarding your heart's deepest desires. The original Greek word for 'life' here refers to your entire way of living, your habits, and your disposition. So, the call is to ensure that a love for money doesn't shape your character or your actions.
Beyond Just Greed
This 'love' can manifest in subtle ways:
Contentment isn't passive resignation; it's an active state of being. What fuels this biblical contentment?
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Resting in What Is
The second part of the verse calls us to "be content with what you have." This isn't about settling for mediocrity or lacking ambition. It's about finding deep satisfaction in God's provision for you right now.
The Foundation of Faith
True contentment isn't based on circumstances, but on a profound trust in God's promises. The verse links this contentment directly to a breathtaking assurance: "for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
This promise is the bedrock. Because God is eternally present, reliable, and committed to His people, we have a security that no amount of money can buy and no lack of possessions can diminish.
God’s words are a powerful anchor. What makes this specific promise so potent against financial anxiety?
God's Personal Guarantee
The phrase "I will never leave you nor forsake you" is incredibly emphatic in the original language. It’s not just a casual assurance; it’s a multi-layered declaration of God’s unwavering commitment.
What Does 'Never Leave or Forsake' Mean?
This promise covers every aspect of our lives:
When we grasp the depth of this promise – that the Creator of the universe is personally invested in our lives and will never let us go – the allure of money fades. Our ultimate security isn't in our bank account, but in God Himself.
Understand the original words
argyriou · Greek Noun
The insatiable craving for wealth; it is biblically identified as a root of evil that leads to idolatry, dissatisfaction, and the abandonment of trust in God's provision.
arkoumenoi · Greek Adjective/Participle
A state of inward peace and sufficiency rooted in the trust that God provides everything necessary for life and godliness, regardless of external circumstances.
The writer of Hebrews is speaking to believers facing severe trials, including persecution and the potential loss of property. The encouragement to be content and free from the love of money is grounded in the unshakable promise of God's perpetual presence, a profound comfort amidst such instability.
c. 62 AD— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
The Apostle Paul, the likely author of Hebrews, is imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial. This period of hardship and uncertainty would have tested the faith and contentment of believers.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading Emperor Nero to blame and persecute Christians. This event likely intensified the suffering and potential loss of property for many believers.
c. 67-70 AD
Jewish-Roman War Begins
The First Jewish-Roman War erupts, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 70 AD. This upheaval would have caused immense distress and displacement for Jewish Christians.
This is the foundational promise God made to Jacob, assuring him of His presence and protection, which is echoed in Hebrews 13:5 and serves as a deep encouragement against anxieties about provision or abandonment.
Deuteronomy 31:6This passage repeats God's powerful assurance to Joshua and Israel, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you,' directly supporting the Hebrews writer's point that contentment is rooted in God's steadfast presence.
Joshua 1:5Here, God reiterates His promise to Joshua as he faces a daunting new chapter, highlighting that God's unfailing presence is the ultimate security, far outweighing any material wealth.
Matthew 6:25Jesus' teaching not to worry about what to eat or drink directly parallels the call to contentment in Hebrews, showing that our trust should be in God's provision rather than material riches.
Philippians 4:11Paul's testimony of learning to be content in all circumstances, whether in plenty or in want, provides a powerful example of living out the principle taught in Hebrews, grounded in Christ's strength.
ellicottHebrews 13:5: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
(5) In these two verses ( Hebrews 13:4-5 ) we have the same connection of thought as in Hebrews 12:16 ; Colossians 3:5 ; Ephesians 5:3 . “Impurity and covetousness may be said to divide between them nearly the whole domain of human selfishness and vice” (Lightfoot on Colossians 3:5 ). Conversation.—Literally, way of thought and l…
vincentHebrews 13:5: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Let your conversation be without covetousness (ἀφιλάργυρος ὁ τρόπος)Τρόπος originally turn or direction. Hence ways manner, fashion; way or manner of life. In this sense N.T.o. Elsewhere often in the phrase ὅν τρόπον or καθ' ὅν τρόπον in or according to the way in which. See Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; Acts 1:11; Acts 1…
The promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," isn't just a general comfort for hardship; it's the direct antidote the author gives to the love of money. Because God Himself is our true, unshakeable presence, we don't need to grasp at wealth as our security or meaning.
The author of Hebrews is urging believers to live a life distinct from the surrounding culture, which was often driven by greed and materialism. Having just discussed faithfulness in marriage and the dangers of false teaching, the focus now shifts to financial integrity and contentment. This is a direct response to the potential hardships and persecutions the believing community might be facing, reminding them that their ultimate security isn't in earthly possessions but in God's unwavering presence.
The author of Hebrews is urging believers to live a life distinct from the surrounding culture, which was often driven by greed and materialism. Having just discussed faithfulness in marriage and the dangers of false teaching, the focus now shifts to financial integrity and contentment. This is a direct response to the potential hardships and persecutions the believing community might be facing, reminding them that their ultimate security isn't in earthly possessions but in God's unwavering presence.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" — The promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," isn't just a general comfort for hardship; it's the direct antidote the author gives to the love of money. Because God Himself is our true, unsh…
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Last reviewed October 2026