Hebrews 13:5-6 tells Christians to be free from the love of money and to be content with what they have, because God has promised never to leave or forsake them. From that promise, the writer draws a confident response: the Lord is our helper, so we need not fear what people can do to us. The passage is the closing stretch of a series of practical instructions in the final chapter of Hebrews, where the writer moves from worship and doctrine into everyday matters of generosity, marriage, leadership and faithfulness.
5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.” 6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 (WEB)
Hebrews 13:5-6 Summary
The passage moves in three steps. First comes a command about money: do not let the desire for more wealth take over your heart, and be satisfied with what you already have. Then comes the reason, a promise God made that he will never leave or abandon his people. The writer quotes this promise as if God himself is speaking it directly to the reader. Finally, the writer describes how a believer can respond: with courage, saying that the Lord is our helper and asking what any human being could really do to us in the face of that help.
The logic runs from contentment to trust to courage. A heart that is not ruled by the pursuit of money is free to rest in God’s care, and a heart resting in God’s care is free to face fear without being controlled by it.
Context of Hebrews 13:5-6
The letter to the Hebrews is anonymous, though early tradition often connected it with Paul, and many scholars today think a teacher from the Pauline circle or another gifted preacher wrote it. Its first readers were probably Jewish Christians facing pressure, possibly including hardship, public shame, or the temptation to drift back toward the old religious practices. The letter encourages them to hold on to Jesus, who is greater than angels, Moses, and the old covenant system.
In the verses just before our passage, the writer lists everyday acts of love: hospitality to strangers, remembering prisoners and those who suffer, honoring marriage. Our verses continue that practical focus. They show that trust in God shapes the way we handle money and the way we handle fear, which are two of the most common pressures in ordinary life.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Verse by Verse
Philippians 4:6-7
6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
(WEB)
Paul pairs prayer with peace, showing that bringing our worries to God guards the heart and mind. It echoes the same trust that drives the courage in Hebrews 13.
Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
(WEB)
This psalm declares that the Lord is on our side, so we need not fear what mortals can do. The Hebrews passage draws directly on this same confidence.
A Prayer Based on Hebrews 13:5-6
Lord, you know how often my heart reaches for more than I need. Loosen my grip on money and teach me to be content with what you have given me today. When I feel afraid of what people might say or do, remind me that you have promised never to leave me or forsake me. Help me to say with courage that you are my helper, and let that truth steady me in every hard moment. Thank you for staying close when I feel alone. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hebrews 13:5 mean money is wrong?
No. The verse warns against the love of money, meaning a craving that takes God’s place in the heart. Scripture elsewhere recognizes that money is a tool for living and for generosity, but it can become a rival to trust when we depend on it more than on God.
Who is speaking the promise in Hebrews 13:5?
The writer introduces the promise with “he has said,” referring to God. The words quoted come from Old Testament texts such as Deuteronomy and Joshua, where God assures his people of his presence. The writer presents it as God’s own word to the reader.
How can I have courage when I am really afraid?
Courage in this passage is not the denial of fear but the choice to trust God in the middle of it. Many believers find it helpful to speak the confession of Hebrews 13:6 aloud when fear rises, naming the Lord as their helper and bringing the specific situation to him in prayer.
