The chapter and verse separations in our Bibles were not part of the original manuscript but were added in 1227, to make it easier to locate texts. Although they are generally helpful, they can distort the relationship between different ideas. Today's verse in Hebrews 13:1 reads more helpfully when conjoined with the last verses of the previous chapter: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Following Jesus in the 1st Century was not easy, and often dangerous. There was no place for Christianity in the Roman Empire: it was an illegal religion.

Money is not wrong, but loving it, is. Money is only a convenient way to exchange what we have for what we need. Instead of having to carry around farm produce or livestock when we want to purchase what we need, we have the value of what we have earned in money. We can be tempted to think that the more money we have, the more secure we are. Therefore, we can be restless or fearful if we think that we do not have enough; and our peace can disintegrate.

The Early Church was a dangerous place. The radical nature of the gospel granting full forgiveness to penitent sinners ran alongside unpredictable violent persecution. And yet the message of the gospel was genuinely attractive, bringing many new disciples of Jesus Christ as they heard of His saving grace.