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 live in a country where many are caught up
looking at material things such as cars and houses. In a wealthy country
like Singapore, many are unhappy. Why? Because people compare and get
discontented. In today’s text, we learn “let your 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 be without
covetousness”. To covet is to desire for something that does not 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 content with whatever God gives to us, instead
of coveting and comparing with others. 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 content 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’ name I pray, Amen.