October 10, 2012
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Hebrews 13
Jennifer Pettit
Central Truth
God wants us to be content with what we have and completely dependent on Him.
Key Verse | Hebrews 13:5
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
Hebrews 13
Sacrifices Pleasing to God
1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 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.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent 1 13:10 Or tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us 2 13:21 Some manuscripts you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
22 I appeal to you, brothers, 3 13:22 Or brothers and sisters bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 13
As I'm writing this Journey entry, we are approaching the tenth anniversary of 9/11. September 11, 2001, is a day I will never forget. I was working in the Private Wealth Management group of an investment banking firm in Dallas. With the television tuned to the news, we sat speechless as we watched this act of terror unfold before our eyes. Shortly thereafter, our manager came to our desks and said they were evacuating us. As I gathered my things, my phone rang. It was a client calling, so I quickly picked it up. What came from the other end of the line astounded me. He was panicked, yelling, and demanding me to promise him that his money was "safe." I couldn't believe my ears. As towers were falling, and thousands were dying, this client was concerned about his money.
When did we become a society so fixated on money and the luxuries it affords us? Hebrews warns us to keep our lives free from the love of money. God tells us to be content with what we have and then reassures us that He will never leave us. Why would He say that? Well, for some of us, our security lies in what we have in the bank. If we have money, we feel secure and, therefore, don't need to depend on God. The Lord tells us differently. Like the widow in Mark 12, who gave all she had to the Lord. She knew the true value of money and depended on the Lord for everything she needed.
When I returned to work a few days later, another call from a client came in. This conversation was a little different. You see, this client was calling to tell me he lost both of his kids in the Towers. One client saw buildings fall and panicked. The other saw the same thing and knew life would never be the same.
I'm so glad the Lord has changed my view of money. It's not mine, it's His. When you are free from its bondage, you are Free indeed!
Discussion Questions
1. What do you trust in for your security: your money or the Lord?
2. How do you view the money God has entrusted to you?
3. When your character is free from the love of money, it will change the way you view money and, therefore, the way you spend it. Is the way you spend your resources honoring to the Lord?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
October 8-12 (Hebrews 11-James 2)
Read Hebrews 11.
• What is the definition of faith?
• Is it easy or hard for you to believe things that you cannot see?
Activity: Make a "HALL OF FAITH" chart with four columns (Name, New Testament verses, Old Testament verses, and Act of Faith). Read through each little section of Hebrews 11, writing down the names of the people listed and what their act of faith was. Next, go to the Old Testament and find their story. Take time to read their story and talk about how they showed faith. Record their Old Testament references on your chart. Then, take time to think about people you know. Add their names to your "Hall of Faith" chart and record how they have shown their faith in God.