Never Will I Leave You (Part 3)

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

The following is adapted from a sermon by Dennis Johnson on Hebrews 13:5-14 that deals with change and I thought it would be appropriate for us to consider as we transition from Phil (who was with us for 28 years) to a new Lead Pastor. 

In this installment we'll take a deeper look at the second of two wrong ways to respond to change based on Hebrews. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.


The second incorrect way to respond to change is trying to insulate ourselves from change through money. This response is addressed by the author of Hebrews in 13:5-6:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

There are many reasons why people love money. We like the things that we can buy. We like to feel important and comfortable. But in Hebrews God warns us against loving money "as a source of security." Why? Because money may never say to you what God can: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

In chaotic times it's tempting to think that money can be a shield for us. That it can protect us from the hardships of change. But money doesn't last, in fact, Jesus' parable in Luke 12:13-21 is a perfect illustration of this truth. A farmer had no place to put all of his grain and so he he said, "I'll build bigger barns, and then relax and celebrate! I'll be secure for years!" But God said, "You fool! Tonight, your life is mine!" And the farmer died, unable to enjoy all of his money.

Hebrews tells us to not place our faith or our hope of security in money. Or in love and relationships, for that matter. So, if we can't look to those things for certainty during change where can we look? That's where we'll go in Part 4!