The Lodestar

Though contentment is a dominant truth throughout the Bible, it is mostly overlooked. The psalmist said, “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked” (Psa 37:16). The sages of Israel also underlined this truth: “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife” (Prov 17:1). John the Baptiser told the soldier to be content with their wages: “Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages’” (Luke 3:14).

Contentment is not only about money and comforts, but it also determines the limits of the urge to be more popular, powerful, and famous than we are. “Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Do not let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it” (1 Cor 7:20—21). This verse does not suggest that we should reject promotions in career or wealth justly gained, but is a warning against the sinful yearning to get those in by our own efforts.

Contentment brings peace into our lives, while discontentment is disquieting. Discontentment breeds envy, hatred, and disharmony in society, while contentment is marked with love, peace, and joy.

In simple terms, contentment is believing that we have everything we need for life, and that God will provide all that we need in his own time, in his own way. It requires patience. Jeremiah Burroughs, who authored the classic “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”, illustrated this truth: “To be content as a result of some external thing is like warming a man’s clothes by the fire. But to be content through an inward disposition of the soul is like the warmth that a man’s clothes have from the natural heat of the body.”

Only a patient, contented heart can ever be thankful to God.

Choose to cultivate a heart of contentment by trusting that God has already provided all you truly need. Resist the urge to chase after more out of envy or restlessness, and instead find peace in where God has placed you.