Christian Contentment

Essex Remembrancer
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you…
I. EVERY MAN HAS HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL PORTION IN THIS LIFE, ASSIGNED HIM BY GOD.

1. The portion of every man consists of such things as he has: literally, present things.

2. That which each man has, is assigned him by God. Suppose he has a competency for all the comforts of life which he has acquired. In that case, who, but God, gave him capacity of mind, strength of body, business to do, and success in the doing it?

II. WITH THAT PORTION WHICH GOD HAS ALLOTTED HIM, EVERY CHRISTIAN IS REQUIRED TO BE CONTENT.

1. Cautionary remarks.

(1) This command does not forbid a proper regard to the future.

(2) Industrious efforts to obtain more are not forbidden by this command.

(3) The embracing a proper opportunity of improving one's condition is not forbidden by this command.

2. Contentment is —

(1) The opposite of a complaining spirit.

(2) The opposite of an envious temper.

(3) Opposed to anxiety.

(4) Opposed to covetousness.

(5) Opposed to restless schemes and endeavours after more.

3. How it is to be cultivated.

(1) By habitual self-abasement.

(2) By thankfulness. Gratitude gives fitness to our raiment, relish to our food, and sweetness to all.

(3) By the exercise of faith. He hath said, "He, who has all power; he who abideth faithful." He has said that He will never leave nor forsake thee, whosoever thou art, who puttest thy trust in Him; therefore, "be content with such things as ye have."

(4) By "looking unto Jesus." Though the earth and the fulness thereof were His, He assumed the lowest state of poverty.

(5) By habitual prayer and dependence on Christ.

(Essex Remembrancer.)