The Promise and Its Conditions: A Reflection on Hebrews 13:5

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

This is a personal promise from the Lord, one that the hearer is ready to gladly receive. And rightly so. But are we also willing to consider the conditions of this promise?

For this, let us read the verse in its fullness:

Hebrews 13:5

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Observe that while the promise is convenient and uplifting, the verse also presents conditions before God’s promise.

The first condition: Let your conversation be without covetousness. The word “conversation” here means your conduct. How are we conducting ourselves? Much of our conduct stems from our tongues, which lead to our actions. Furthermore, we see the word “covetousness.” Ironically, today’s society, especially with the influence of social media, is built upon covetousness – which means greed and the love for money. Let us look at this from the perspective of both genders.

Many men forsake their roles in society and their responsibilities to their families or wives by chasing after wealth. They justify this selfish pursuit with the mindset of “I have to make it.” In such cases, the structure of the family or relationship is shattered even before it is established, all for the love of money.

On the other hand, time is a deceptive whisperer to the ears of women. They feel they have limited time, and their actions are guided by “what ifs.” What if I don’t have this or that and time is running out? Often, these individuals engage in things they ought not to or make hasty decisions they later regret.

Likewise, on a larger scale, nations and their people suffer greatly because the hearts of their leaders are driven by greed.

Returning to the verse, let your conduct be without greed or covetousness. On a positive note, the Lord, who points this out, also gives an antidote: be content.

When we are not content, this is how most of our troubles start. As the old saying goes, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” The individual is never satisfied nor content with what they have and who they have in their lives. They look to others, and at times, the people they want to emulate are only portraying an image they want others to see. So they are following an illusion rather than reality.

Or perhaps everything that entices you that a person has is real. But you don’t know what that person went through to be where they are, and you are not willing to endure the same, but you want it now, as soon as possible.

Let us be content instead.

So then, one may ask: Will God really forsake a person simply because they don’t yet have their act together? No, He never left, but at times we are so busy chasing after things and greed while being unsatisfied that we don’t see God’s presence in our lives and the good things that we have.

Consequently, the individual does not see the good things they now have until they are gone.

Keep your lives free from covetousness, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.”