Charles Buck Theological Dictionary: CONTENTMENT

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Charles Buck Theological Dictionary: CONTENTMENT


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Is a disposition of mind in which our desires are confined to what we enjoy, without murmuring at our lot, or wishing ardently for more. It stands opposed to envy, Jam_3:16. to avarice, Heb_13:5. to pride and ambition, Pro_13:10. to anxiety of mind, Mat_6:25; Mat_6:34. to murmurings and repinings, 1Co_10:10. Contentment does not imply unconcern about our welfare, or that we should not have a sense of any thing uneasy or distressing; nor does it give any countenance to idleness, or prevent diligent endeavours to improve our circumstances. It implies, however, that our desires of worldly good be moderate; that we do not indulge unnecessary care, or use unlawful efforts to better ourselves; but that we acquiesce with and make the best of our condition, whatever it be. Contentment arises not from a man's outward condition, but from his inward disposition, and is the genuine offspring of humility, attended with a fixed habitual sense of God's particular providence, the recollection of past mercies, and a just estimate of the true nature of all earthly things Motives to contentment arise from the consideration of the rectitude of the Divine government, Psa_97:1-2. the benignity of the Divine providence, Psa_145:1-21 : the greatness of the Divine promises, 2Pe_1:4. our own unworthiness, Gen_32:1-10. the punishments we deserve, Lam_3:39-40. the reward which contentment itself brings with it, 1Ti_6:6. the speedy termination of all our troubles here, and the prospect of eternal felicity in a future state, Rom_5:2. Barrow's Works, vol. 3: ser. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Burroughs on Contentment; Watson's Art of ditto; Hale's Con. p 59; Mason's Christian Morals, vol. 1: ser.2.