DECEMBER 28, Hebrews 13:5 

Sally is from a wealthy family. Every year, she goes on vacation to interesting destinations. She lives in a nice house and her father owns a big car. But she is an unhappy child. Looking at Su Fen, her classmate makes her sad. Why is that so? Because Su Fen comes from an even wealthier family. Her family owns many properties and she goes around in a chauffeur-driven car. It is not that Su Fen was boasting; she is a nice quiet girl. It is just that Sally is jealous when she sees Su Fen.

On the other hand, meet Mike. Mike is a contented boy. Although he comes from a modest family, where his mum is a home-maker and dad works as a technician in a small company, theirs is a happy family. He knows they are not privileged; and the furthest they can go for a rare holiday is Penang in Malaysia. But that does not matter to Mike. He is a Christian and knows the verses in Hebrews 13:5 and 6. What are these verses? They are the verses in our text today!

Precious child, we in Singapore live in a place where many are caught up looking at material things such as cars and houses. In a wealthy country like Singapore, there are many unhappy people. Why? Because people compare and get discontented. In today’s text, we learn that our “conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:” The word “conversation” is not to be understood in the way we usually use it to refer to a discussion or talk. Instead, this word should be understood to be how we live out our lives. So the way to read this verse is “to let our life to be without covetousness”. To covet is to desire for something that doesn’t belong to us. We are not to covet, for we are told way back in the book of Exodus that to covet is a sin. Let us be contented with whatever God gives to us, instead of coveting and comparing. Do not take pleasure or pride in the things that you have. Instead, take pleasure with the things of God and in your relationships with family and friends.

Thought: May I be a contented child!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is such an important lesson to never covet but to be contented and to thank You for the much You have already given me! Help me instead to find pleasure in being with You, reading Your Word, and being with family and friends. In Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen.