CONTENTMENT

By: Orville J. Nave

• 5 min. read • grade level: 6

General scriptures concerning

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:6⁶The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:6))

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Psalm 37:7⁷Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Psalm 37:7))

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalm 37:16¹⁶A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalm 37:16))

The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. (Proverbs 14:10¹⁰The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. (Proverbs 14:10))

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (Proverbs 14:14¹⁴The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (Proverbs 14:14))

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13¹³A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13))

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15))

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. (Proverbs 15:30³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. (Proverbs 15:30))

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. (Proverbs 16:8⁸Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. (Proverbs 16:8))

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. (Proverbs 17:1¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. (Proverbs 17:1))

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Proverbs 17:22²²A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Proverbs 17:22))

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: (Proverbs 30:8⁸Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: (Proverbs 30:8))

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24²⁴There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24))

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. ¹³And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12‑13))

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 4:6⁶Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 4:6))

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12¹²The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12))

All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 6:7-9⁷All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. ⁸For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? ⁹Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 6:7‑9))

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15¹⁵Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15))

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9⁷Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. ⁸Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. ⁹Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:7‑9))

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14¹⁴And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14))

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17¹⁷But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17))

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. (1 Corinthians 7:20-21²⁰Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. ²¹Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. (1 Corinthians 7:20‑21))

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (1 Corinthians 7:24²⁴Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (1 Corinthians 7:24))

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26))

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11-12¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹²I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11‑12))

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:6‑8))

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5))

See AFFLICTION, RESIGNATION IN

See RESIGNATION

INSTANCES OF

Esau, in refusing Jacob's present

And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. (Genesis 33:9⁹And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. (Genesis 33:9))

Barzillai, in refusing to go with David to Jerusalem

And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. (2 Samuel 19:33-37³³And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. ³⁴And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? ³⁵I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? ³⁶Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? ³⁷Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. (2 Samuel 19:33‑37))

The Shunammite, in refusing to make a request of Elisha

And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. (2 Kings 4:13¹³And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. (2 Kings 4:13))

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Nave's Topical Bible: C

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