Find Real Security: A Study on Hebrews 13:5-6
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 26
- 9 min read
Hebrews Chapter 13, verses 5 and 6.
The Main Message: Real security isn't found in your paycheck or what you've managed to buy. It's found in knowing that God is with you and will always be there to help you. When you trust in that, you're free from the constant grind and worry about money, and you can stand on a foundation that will never crumble.
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Jumping into the Deep End: Hebrews 13
Alright, let's get into it. Whether you've been grinding through this study with us from the beginning or you're just clocking in now, welcome. If you just found us, you jumped in near the end of our journey through the book of Hebrews. Don't worry, you didn't miss the whole thing. There's good stuff here, but if you want to see how we got here, you can go back and start from the top here: INTRO TO HEBREWS.
Today we're on the home stretch of this letter, working our way through chapter 13. We're moving from the big-picture truths about Jesus to the nitty-gritty stuff of everyday life. This study guide is here to help you get your hands dirty with the history and context of these verses so you can see how they apply to the real world you live in.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 13, verses 5 and 6 in a couple of different translations.
Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: From Big-Picture Theology to the Daily Grind.
Hebrews chapter 13, verses 5 and 6 is more than a simple command about money; it's a powerful conclusion to the author’s argument about the unshakable nature of the new covenant in Christ. The author has spent the previous twelve chapters building a compelling case that Jesus is superior to every aspect of the old covenant—from the angels and Moses to the priesthood and the sacrifices. The central theme is that Jesus’ work has provided a better way, a more secure and lasting reality. Therefore, the author says in this final chapter, your life should reflect this greater reality.
It's clear that the author knows his audience—these Jewish Christians—are struggling and considering going back to their old traditions and the security they once had in Judaism. To counter this, he has pulled out all the stops, using the very scriptures they have known and trusted since childhood. He makes his case that the path they're on, following Jesus, is the right one, and that going back to the old way would be abandoning the best for an outdated system that can't save them.
The first-century Greco-Roman world was highly materialistic, much like our own. The pursuit of wealth was not just a means of survival but a marker of status, power, and security. Christians, however, faced a unique tension. Their faith often marginalized them from the social and commercial systems of the day. They were outsiders, sometimes facing confiscation of property or economic hardship. In this context, the command to "Keep your life free from the love of money" (Hebrews chapter 13 verse 5) was not just moral advice but a counter-cultural call to radical trust. The Greek word for "love of money" is aphilargyria, which literally means “not loving silver.” It's a positive command for a state of heart: contentment. The author is challenging his readers to find their security not in the fleeting material world but in something far more enduring.
To ground this command, the author again turns to authors and passages his audience knows and trusts, ancient wisdom they learned since they were young. He's using their own cherished scriptures to make his case for why trusting God and keeping their faith in Jesus is the better way. He quotes a promise and a declaration from the Old Testament, connecting the Christian’s journey directly to the epic story of Israel. The promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” is drawn directly from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This specific phrase appears in Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse 6, and chapter 31, verse 8, spoken by Moses to Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the promised land. It also appears in Joshua chapter 1, verse 5. This was a promise given at a moment of immense uncertainty and transition. Israel was leaving the wilderness and preparing to face powerful enemies in a new land. The promise was God’s assurance of his unwavering presence and provision.
By quoting this promise, the author of Hebrews tells his readers that their journey of faith—which might feel like a wilderness and is certainly fraught with challenges—is a direct continuation of this divine faithfulness. Just as God was with Joshua in the face of the unknown, so too is He with us. This promise addresses our deepest fears, particularly the fear of being abandoned or left to fend for ourselves. When we truly believe that God will never leave us, the frantic need to accumulate and hoard wealth for our own security dissipates.
The final quote, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can anyone do to me?’” is from Psalm chapter 118, verse 6. This is a song of defiant praise and confident trust in God, even when facing enemies. It’s a declaration that God’s power and help are greater than any threat.
The author of Hebrews uses this to show the logical outcome of believing God’s promise of presence. If God is with you, and if He is your helper, what can truly harm you? The fear of losing possessions, status, or even life itself is replaced by an unshakable peace.
The emphasis shifts from what you have to who you have.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on & discuss
Given the first-century context of economic instability for Christians, how does the command to be free from the love of money become a radical act of faith? What parallels can you draw between the cultural pressures they faced and the ones we face today?
Examine the historical context of the Old Testament quotes in this passage (Deuteronomy 31 and Psalm 118). What do these contexts tell you about the kind of confidence and security the author of Hebrews wants his readers to have?
How does your personal view of financial security change when you reframe it from “what can I acquire to protect myself?” to “how does God’s presence provide my ultimate security?”
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Discuss a time in your life when you felt a lack of security, whether it was financial, emotional, or physical. In that moment, how did you respond? Now, reflect on this passage. How might actively meditating on the promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and “The Lord is my helper” have changed your actions or mindset?
Applying This Today
The principles of Hebrews 13:5-6 are profoundly applicable to our modern lives, which, like the ancient world, are often driven by materialism and anxiety. The passage calls for a radical reorientation of our values and a fundamental shift in where we place our trust.
1. Practice Contentment as a Radical Act
The author of Hebrews challenges us to find our security not in what we possess, but in the unwavering presence of God. Contentment isn't a passive state; it's an active, faith-filled practice of gratitude for what we have and trust for what we need. This is a direct response to the cultural narrative that tells us "more is better."
Real-Life Scenario: Imagine a young couple, Sarah and Mark, who are constantly scrolling through social media, seeing friends buy new cars, renovate homes, and take lavish vacations. They feel a nagging sense of inadequacy and worry about their own financial stability. Applying Hebrews 13:5-6 means they would consciously stop comparing themselves to others. Instead, they could start a daily practice of listing three things they are grateful for—their health, a warm home, a stable job—and actively thanking God for them. When the urge to spend on something they don't need arises, they can ask themselves, "Am I doing this out of genuine need or out of a fear of missing out?" This intentional practice of gratitude helps them break free from the cycle of consumer anxiety.
2. Prioritize Community Over Consumerism
The Christian community is a powerful antidote to the isolation and insatiable desire that materialism breeds. When we invest in relationships and share our lives with others, we create a different kind of security—one that is built on mutual support and belonging rather than personal acquisition.
Real-Life Scenario: Consider a single professional, David, who works long hours and finds himself spending his weekends shopping to fill a void. He feels lonely and measures his success by the things he can afford. Living out this principle would involve him joining a small group from his church. Instead of going to the mall, he volunteers with his group to help at a local food bank. As they work together, he builds genuine friendships. He discovers that the joy of serving with others and the support he receives from his friends is far more fulfilling than the fleeting high of a new purchase. His sense of security is no longer tied to his possessions but to his place in a community that cares for him.
3. Reframe Success from Accumulation to Trust
The ultimate message of this passage is a call to radical trust in God's provision. Our confidence should not be in our portfolios or our salaries, but in the living God who has promised to be our helper. This changes our definition of success from how much we can accumulate to how much we can trust God.
Real-Life Scenario: A seasoned entrepreneur, Maria, has built a successful business, but she is constantly anxious about the next market downturn. She works relentlessly, sacrificing time with her family to ensure her financial security. The principles of Hebrews 13:5-6 challenge her to redefine her measure of success. She could begin her day by meditating on the promise, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear." Instead of viewing her business as the sole source of her security, she sees it as a resource entrusted to her by God. This perspective allows her to make decisions based on faith rather than fear. She can take a day off to be with her family without being consumed by worry, trusting that God's provision for her is not dependent on her constant toil but on His unwavering faithfulness.
Join a Journey Group
Now that you've dug into the real meaning of security, it's time to put these truths into practice. You don't have to walk this road alone. A Journey Group is where you can find the community to help you live a life free from the money grind and full of real, lasting contentment. Find a group of fellow journeyers who have your back and can help you stay on the path.
To get connected, learn more, or even start a group of your own, visit: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
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