THE TAKEAWAY: Barbie Movie and God’s Provision
I Shall Not Want 4: Contentment starts with God’s faithfulness
MESSAGE:
The Barbie movie highlights the insecurity of Ken as he realizes that he cannot be a whole person without dating Barbie. Ken, in his desperation to find himself, pushes Barbie from her home, turns her house into a Bro Dojo, and declares that the Kens don’t need anybody but themselves. Eventually, both Ken and Barbie learn to be content with friendship and a healthy self-esteem.
I love the verse in Hebrews that connects God’s love with contentment. The author is not arguing for the church to go hungry, but simply challenges the listener to put God’s faithfulness over any immoral idols. The issue is framed like this: “Why shouldn’t we live for financial gain and grinding for the good life? Because God’s care and compassion is enough to take care of us.”
The author states that it is courageous to accept God as our only helper in times of want. This is what tests a saint: who do you trust when life isn’t going the way you want? In the churches’ case, they probably figured that money might help them with their persecution, but the author reminds them that God is enough. When push comes to shove in our walk with God, will we stick to God’s promise that he is enough for our greatest needs, or will we take a shortcut?
FIGURE IT OUT:
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
- Circle some keywords or phrases that are significant to you. What makes them important?
- If you were part of the persecuted church, how would tons of money help your situation?
- What shortcuts do we take instead of fully trusting God with his love?
- Name some nagging worries you have today and ask God to show you that his love is enough.