HERE IS AN UNGODLY MAN WHO HAS ENOUGH (Gen_33:9). Esau. Unconverted men are sometimes contented with their lot in this life.
1. It is not always or often so: they are mostly a dissatisfied company.
2. It is sometimes so: as in the case of Esau. This may arise from--
(1) A want of energy.
(2) A naturally easy disposition, readily pleased.
(3) Utter recklessness, which only considers present pleasure.
3. It has some good points about it.
(1) As preventing greed, and the oppression which comes of it.
(2) As often promoting a good-natured liberality, and the disposition to “live and let live.”
4. Yet it has its evil side.
(1) It leads men to boast of their wealth or acquirements, who would not do so if they were craving for more.
(2) It tends to breed a contempt for spiritual riches.
(3) It may thus be a sign of having one’s portion in this life.
II. HERE IS A GODLY MAN WHO HAS ENOUGH (Gen_33:11). Jacob.
1. It is a pity that this is not true of every Christian man.
2. It is delightful to have enough. Contentment surpasses riches.
3. It is pleasant to have somewhat to spare for the poor (Eph_4:28).
4. It is blessed to have all this through our God. Jacob said, “God hath dealt graciously with me, and I have enough.”
5. It is best of all to have all things. In the margin we read that Jacob said, “I have all things.” “All things are yours” (1Co_3:22).
(1) All that the believer needs is promised in the covenant.
(2) All things in providence work together for his good.
(3) In having God for his portion he has more than all.
Thus he has enough of strength and grace. Enough in Christ, in the Word, and in the Spirit. Enough in God’s love, power and faithfulness, and an immeasurable supply in God Himself, whose name is “God All-sufficient.” The child of God should be ashamed of discontent, since even a common sinner may be free from it. He should be heartily satisfied; for he has all things, and what more can he desire? “ O rest in the Lord” (Psa_37:7). (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Lessons
1. Natural affection will urge to inquire of the outward state of brethren as well as of relations.
2. Modesty in nature will expostulate about brethren’s offers of love rather then covetously take them.
3. Providential occurrences of good pretended may occasion natural men to inquire about them.
4. Humble souls as under providence they do seek favour with men by presents, so they profess it (Gen_33:8).
5. It is possible for natural men to have a kind of sufficiency and content in their possessions.
6. Nature may desire others to keep their own, as it is contented with its portion.
7. Nature is apt to think earthly possessions enough without God (Gen_33:9).
8. Ingenuity and grace is not only liberal, but urgent to have fruits of love accepted.
9. Acceptance of loving presents is a token of acceptance of persons.
10. It is just cause of importunity in pressing pacifying presents when God’s face is seen in reconciled adversaries.
11. Unexpected love from displeased ones engageth to press kindness on them (Gen_33:10).
12. Presents of gracious souls from God to men are blessings.
13. Grace is importunate with man as well as with God to win Him.
14. God’s gracious respects to saints causeth them so to respect their brethren.
15. God’s Jacobs, gracious souls, they have not only enough, but all in the grace of God.
16. The all-sufficiency which God giveth His saints makes them so pressing kindness to others.
17. Nature is overcome by the importunity of grace to accept an outward blessing.
18. Brotherly conference is the way of winning upon men of bad spirits. All this between Jacob and Esau is by loving parley. (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Christian contentment
A poor Christian woman, who was breaking her fast upon a crust and a cup of water, exclaimed, “What! all this and Christ too!” (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A Puritan preacher asking a blessing on a herring and potatoes, said, “Lord, we thank Thee that Thou hast ransacked sea and land to find food for Thy children.” (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Angelic content
The great cry with everybody is, “Get on! get on!” just as if the world were travelling post. How astonished these people will be, if they arrive in heaven, to find the angels, who are much wiser than they, laying no schemes to be made archangels! (Maxims for Meditation.)
Content from a quiet mind
Is not the bee as well contented with feeding on the dew, or sucking from a flower, as the ox that grazeth on the mountains? Contentment lies within a man, in the heart; and the way to be comfortable is not by having our barrels filled, but our minds quieted. The contented man (saith Seneca)is the happy man . . . Discontent robs a man of the power to enjoy what he possesses. A drop or two of vinegar will sour a whole glass of wine. (T. Watson.)
Contentment of the unregenerate
As a typical instance of the contentment of some unregenerate persons, note the following: “A captain of a whale-ship told one of the wretched natives of Greenland that he sincerely pitied the miserable life to which he was condemned. ‘Miserable!’ exclaimed the savage. ‘I have always had a fish-bone through my nose, and plenty of train-oil to drink: what more could I desire?’” (C. H. Spurgeon.)
I have enough
1. The first man who ever said so.
2. What even non-spiritual men may say. Should not Christians say more?
3. Property should be a heart-store.
4. “Enough” can never be true of spiritual blessings.
5. The evils of avaricious grasping.
6. We must not be avaricious, even on the plea that it is for others,
7. Christianity should be proved by contentment. Examples of
