The writer of Hebrews closes with several imperatives, including this admonition in 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (ESV). For comparison: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU” (NASB). The NET renders, “Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”
Some years ago, while at Samsun (Biblical Pontus) on the Black Sea, Ferrell Jenkins and I visited the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum there. Here are some photographs which might be helpful visuals in teaching this biblical text (Heb. 13:5):
Another display includes this trove of coins:
One should note that it is not the money that is itself sinful, but the LOVE of money (compare 1 Timothy 6:10).
Also note the Hebrews 13:5 states what “He Himself” (God) has said. What follows is to be the Christian’s response: “So that WE may boldly say, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear, What can man do to me?'” (v.6). This kind of “answering speech” runs throughout scripture: God takes the initiative, He speaks, He reveals Himself, and then there is to be the appropriate repsonse, the answer of faith on the disciple’s part. “Speak, LORD, thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9).
Pontus is mentioned three times in the New Testament. Jews from Pontus were present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9). Aquila, one of Pau’s invaluable helpers, was from Pontus (Acts 18:2). Also the Apostle Peter addressessed Pontus (1 Pet. 1:).
Samsun (Amisus) was a leading city of Pontus. Regarding its biblical significance, Dr. Mark Wilson writes, “Amisus was at the northern terminus of the main road that ran across Asia Minor to Tarsus. Peter’s messenger undoubtedly disembarked at Amisus and initally made his way south along this route” (Biblical Turkey, pp. 334,336). Samsun is located between the deltas of the Kızıl and Yeşil rivers.
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