In this sermon, Pastor Ben describes how to fight the love of money and treasure Jesus Christ. 1. By finding contentment in godliness and the fruits thereof 2. Rejoicing in God’s promises, those that are fulfilled and those that await fulfillment
Hebrews 13:5-6, “Our Precious Christ and our Eternal Reward”
A Sermon on Hebrews 13:5–6
Dear friends,
As Bonnie shared her testimony, the simple touch of a friend’s hand reminded her of the steady hand of God. It brought to mind that old gospel song:
“Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand,
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know He holds my hand.”
Today, from Hebrews 13:5–6, we consider how to keep our lives free from the love of money and how to treasure Jesus Christ instead. Sin is never removed into a vacuum. You don’t rip asbestos out of a house and leave the walls empty; you replace it with something better. In the same way, the love of money must be replaced with a greater love—the abiding presence of our Savior, our Helper, our Defender, our Redeemer.
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.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5–6)
Here are two biblical ways we fight the love of money and treasure Christ instead.
1. Find Contentment in Godliness and Its Fruit
The love of money is not usually writing love letters to your bank account or swimming in gold coins like Scrooge McDuck. It is subtler. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). The love of money is finding our security, identity, and satisfaction in possessions rather than in Christ.
Covetousness whispers, “If only I had a little more…” or “It would be easier to serve God if I just had this one thing.” It betrays a heart that trusts stuff more than the Savior. Banks fail, investments crash, children squander inheritances, moth and rust destroy. Money is a cruel master—it takes all your affection and still demands more.
Yet Scripture says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). The Hebrew Christians modeled this. Their property was plundered, yet they joyfully accepted it because they knew they had “a better possession and an abiding one” (Heb. 10:34). They had Christ. He is the one possession no one can take.
In Pilgrim’s Progress, characters like Mr. Money-love and Mr. Hold-the-World mock the pilgrims for giving up everything to follow Christ. They want a religion that keeps them comfortable—“silver slippers in the sunshine, with applause.” But true Christianity is not a means to worldly gain. The world promises much and delivers little. Christ promises Himself—and delivers everything.
Paul learned contentment in plenty and in hunger, in abundance and in need (Phil. 4:12). The toys that thrill us today are broken in the corner tomorrow. But godly character—faith that takes God at His word and walks in it—bears fruit that lasts forever.
So fight covetousness with contentment in Christ. He will never leave you. That is a better and abiding possession.
2. Rejoice in God’s Promises—Fulfilled Now and Awaited in Fullness
Heavenly treasure is nothing less than all the promises of God brought to perfect fulfillment in Christ. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” was first spoken to Joshua as he led God’s people into the Promised Land. Through faithful Joshua, they received their inheritance. Jesus is our greater Joshua. He brings us into the ultimate inheritance—God Himself.
Even now, as we trust His word, we taste the firstfruits: grace upon grace, peace in the storm, joy in sorrow, the Spirit sealing us for the day of redemption. It is like picking raspberries—first a cup, then a pail, then bucket after bucket until the harvest is complete. One day every hindrance will be removed. We will see Him face to face and be like Him. That is the treasure no thief can touch.
Because the Lord is our Helper, we can say with confidence, “I will not fear; what can man do to me?” They may plunder our goods and slander our name, but they cannot plunder our salvation.
The Christian life is a pilgrimage and a battle. Sin makes war against our souls. Mr. Money-love still walks the streets wearing different clothes. Temptations still whisper, “You’ve done enough; coast a little.” Only the Lord as our Helper, His Word as our sword, prayer as our lifeline, and faithful friends like Hopeful beside us will carry us home.
What Shall We Do?
- Examine your heart. Have you been chanting “If only I had…” instead of thanking God for what you have? Turn complaint into thanksgiving. The financial squeeze is real, but Christ is still sufficient.
- Meditate on God’s Word daily—not mystical humming, but chewing on His precious, unbreakable promises.
- Clean house spiritually. Ask with every bank statement, every purchase, every spare item: “Lord, how can I use this for Your glory?” Freely you have received; freely give.
- Be generous with all of life—money, time, energy—because you belong to Christ. It’s not what you give but what you keep that the King is counting.
- If you are not sure Christ is your treasure, speak to a Christian brother or sister today. There is no lasting treasure except Jesus and the salvation He gives.
Closing Prayer
Father, forgive us for every covetous thought, every time we have trusted money more than You. Teach us to be content because we have You. In light of eternity, You will graciously give us all things. Sustain us by Your promises until we see You face to face. Meet every need—most of all, the need to know You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. We pray in His precious name. Amen.