Introduction
We live in a world that is engineered to make us feel dissatisfied. Every advertisement, every social media feed, every billboard is designed to plant a seed of discontent in our hearts. You need a newer car, a bigger house, a better vacation, the latest phone. The message is relentless: what you have is not enough, and you are not enough. This constant pressure creates a spirit of anxiety and a hunger for more that can never be satisfied.
But God, in His wisdom, provides a powerful antidote to this poison of discontent. In this one verse, He gives us a command to follow and a promise to stand on that can set us free. He shows us the secret to a peace and satisfaction that the world cannot offer and circumstances cannot take away.
I. The Warning: A Life Without Covetousness
The verse begins, "Let your conversation be without covetousness..."
Now, when we see the word "conversation," we think of talking. But in the King James English, "conversation" means your entire manner of life—your conduct, your character, your behavior. So, God is saying, "Let your whole lifestyle be free from the love of money and possessions."
Covetousness is more than just wanting something; it's a deep, gnawing desire for more. The Apostle Paul called it idolatry (Colossians 3:5) because it puts money and things in the place of God as our source of security, identity, and happiness. It’s the voice in our hearts that says, "If I only had a little more, then I would be secure. Then I would be happy." It is a dangerous and deceptive trap that chokes our spiritual life and pulls our hearts away from God.
II. The Command: A Heart of Contentment
Next, God gives us the positive command: "...and be content with such things as ye have."
Christian contentment is not laziness or a lack of ambition. It is a deep, joyful satisfaction in God's provision for you in this present moment. It is the ability to say, "What God has given me right now is enough, because He is enough."
Think of it this way: a thermometer's reading is determined by the conditions around it. If the room is hot, it reads hot. If the room is cold, it reads cold. Many people live by a "thermometer" faith—they are happy when circumstances are good and miserable when they are bad.
But contentment is like a thermostat. A thermostat doesn't reflect the room's temperature; it sets the temperature. It changes its environment. Christian contentment, empowered by the Holy Spirit, sets the temperature of our hearts to "peace" and "trust," regardless of the external circumstances. The Apostle Paul said he had learned this secret (Philippians 4:11), and it wasn't based on having a lot or a little.
III. The Foundation: A Promise of His Presence
How is such contentment possible? How can we fight the urge for more? The verse gives us the foundation, the anchor, the unshakable reason: "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Our contentment is not based on willpower or positive thinking. It is based on the absolute, unbreakable promise of God's personal presence. This promise is one of the most powerful in all of Scripture, quoted from the Old Testament where God assured Joshua he would not face his battles alone.
In the original Greek, the language is incredibly emphatic, using multiple negatives for emphasis. It could be translated, "I will never, no never, leave you, and I will never, no never, ever forsake you."
This is the secret! Why should we frantically chase after more money or possessions for our security? The Creator of the universe, the King of Kings, has promised to be our constant companion. Our greatest possession is His presence. Our greatest security is His promise. If we have Him, we have everything we could ever truly need.
Conclusion
The path to freedom is clear. The problem is covetousness. The practice is contentment. The power is His presence.
When the world screams at you this week that you need more, let this divine promise be your answer. When you feel the pull of discontent, remind your soul of this truth: "The Lord is with me. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. Therefore, I have enough."
