⚓WEB · Hebrews 13:5
What does Hebrews 13:5 mean?
"Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”"
— Hebrews 13:5 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Explanation
Hebrews 13:5 calls believers to a specific kind of freedom: freedom from the love of money. This isn't a command that no one may possess money or resources, but rather a warning against letting the desire for wealth take hold of the heart. Paired with this warning is a positive instruction — to be content with what one already has. The verse then grounds this call to contentment in a promise from God himself: "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, likely in the mid-to-late first century, who were facing pressure, persecution, and possibly the temptation to abandon their faith or return to old ways of life under social and economic strain. Chapter 13 forms the closing section of the letter, where the author moves from deep theological argument (about Christ's superiority to the old covenant system) into practical exhortations for daily Christian living — love for one another, hospitality, care for prisoners, marital faithfulness, and here, freedom from greed. The promise quoted at the end echoes language found in passages like Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5, where God assures Israel of his abiding presence as they face new challenges. The author applies that same covenant promise to New Testament believers, showing continuity between God's faithfulness to Israel and his faithfulness to the church.
Theologically, this verse ties material contentment directly to the character of God. The reasoning is not "don't love money because money is evil," but "don't love money because God himself is your security." The love of money often grows from fear — fear of scarcity, f
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