Sunday October 8, 2026
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
1 Timothy 6:6
I want to recommend a book. “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” by Jeremiah Burroughs is a true Puritan classic. Here, Burroughs defines Christian contentment, not as a natural personality trait or a stoic resignation, but as “that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” Burroughs then fleshes out his definition by considering four main themes:
- The Nature of Contentment: True contentment is an internal state of satisfaction anchored in grace and relationship with God, entirely independent of external circumstances (whether rich or poor, healthy or afflicted).
- How Christ Teaches Contentment: Contentment is a learned skill acquired in the “school of Christ”. Christ teaches it by fostering self-denial, revealing the vanity of worldly things, helping believers understand their own hearts, and instilling a deep trust in divine providence—the belief that God ordains all things for our good and His glory.
- The Evils of Murmuring: A significant portion of the book warns against the sin of discontentment. Burroughs diagnoses complaining and murmuring as a subtle form of rebellion against God that drains a believer’s spiritual strength, breeds bitterness, and disrupts fellowship with both God and others.
- The Excellence and Benefits of Contentment: Burroughs highlights why contentment is a “rare jewel”: it brings immense inner peace, honors God profoundly, guards against temptation, and allows a Christian to bear trials with grace and resilience. This book is practical, a master’s class in trading anxiety, selfishness and complaint for a deep, God-centered satisfaction in Christ alone.
May God teach us all to walk in true, godly contentment,
Pastor Scott
