Reference: Contentment
Easton
(1) a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1Ti 6:6; 2Co 9:8). It is opposed to envy (Jas 3:16), avarice (Heb 13:5), ambition (Pr 13:10), anxiety (Mt 6:25,34), and repining (1Co 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps 96:1-2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2Pe 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Ge 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Ro 5:2).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant. For with my staff came I over this Jordan, and now have I gotten two droves.
O sing unto the LORD a new song. Sing unto the LORD all the whole earth. {TYNDALE: Sing unto the LORD a new song. Sing unto the LORD all the earth.} Sing unto the LORD, and praise his name, be telling of his salvation from day to day. {TYNDALE: Sing unto the LORD, and show from day to day his victories.}
Among the proud there is ever strife; but among those that do all things with advisement, there is wisdom.
Therefore I say unto you, be not careful for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what raiment ye shall put on. Is not the life more worth than meat? and the body more of value than raiment?
Care not then for the morrow: but let the morrow care for itself. For the day present hath ever enough of his own trouble.
by whom we have a way in, through faith, unto this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the praise that shall be given of God.
Neither murmur ye as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath.
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he verily said, "I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee."
For where envying and strife is, there is unstableness, and all manner of evil works:
by the means whereof are given unto us excellent and most great promises; that by the help of them ye should be partakers of the godly nature, in that ye flee the corruption of worldly lust.
Hastings
1. The word does not occur in the OT, but the duty is implied in the Tenth Commandment (Ex 20:17), and the wisdom of contentment is enforced in Pr 15:17; 17:1 by the consideration that those who seem most enviable may, be worse off than ourselves. But the bare commandment 'Thou shalt not covet' may only stir up all manner of coveting (Ro 7:7 f.); and though a man may sometimes be reconciled to his lot by recognizing a principle of compensation in human life, that principle is far from applying to every case. It is not by measuring ourselves with one another, but only by consciously setting ourselves in the Divine presence, that true contentment can ever be attained. Faith in God is its living root (cf. Ps 16:6 with Ps 16:5; also Hab 3:17 f.).
2. In the NT the grace of contentment is expressly brought before us. Our Lord inculcated it negatively by His warnings against covetousness (Lu 12:15-21), positively by His teaching as to the Fatherhood of God (Mt 6:25-32 ||) and the Kingdom of God (Mt 6:33, cf. Mt 6:19 f.). St. Paul (Php 4:11-13) claims to have 'learned the secret' of being content in whatsoever state he was. The word he uses is autark
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house: neither shalt covet thy neighbor's wife, his manservant, his maid, his ox, his ass or ought that is his."
The LORD himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; thou shalt maintain my lot. The lot is fallen unto me in fair ground; yea I have a goodly heritage.
Better is a mess of pottage with love; than a fat ox with evil will.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a full house and many fat cattle with strife.
For the fig trees shall not be green, and the vines shall bear no fruit. The labour of the olive shall be but lost, and the land shall bring no corn: the sheep shall be taken out of the fold, and there shall be no cattle in the stalls.
"See that ye gather not treasure together upon the earth, where rust and moths corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Therefore I say unto you, be not careful for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what raiment ye shall put on. Is not the life more worth than meat? and the body more of value than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither reap, nor yet carry into the barns, and yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? read more. Which of you, though he took thought therefore, could put one cubit unto his stature? And why care ye then for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They labor not, neither spin: And yet for all that, I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his royalty, was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow shall be cast into the furnace, shall he not much more do the same unto you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or. 'What shall we drink?' Or, 'Wherewith shall we be clothed?' After all these things seek the gentiles: For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But rather, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof; and all these things shall be ministered unto you.
Wherefore he said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness. For no man's life standeth in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." And he put forth a similitude unto them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth fruits plenteously, read more. and he thought in himself saying, 'What shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.' And he said, 'This will I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater: and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods: and I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry.' But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God."
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid: but I knew not what sin meant but by the law. For I had not known what lust had meant, except the law had said, "Thou shalt not lust."
and he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect through weakness." Very gladly therefore will I rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me.
I speak not because of necessity. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am, therewith to be content. I can both cast down myself, I can also exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need. read more. I can do all things through the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me.
I can do all things through the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me.
When we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content.
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he verily said, "I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee."