p. 127 | JOHN MATTESON by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 4, 1871

JOHN MATTESON

By John Matteson

Contentment.

“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 therewith be content.” 1 Tim. 6: 6–8. Most Christians think this is a beautiful idea, but few put it to a practical use. Few will acknowledge that they want to get rich. They only want daily bread. And this simple want is varied and stretched until it is made to cover almost everything: Houses and lands, horses and carriages, costly garments and luxurious furniture, comfort and ease, silver and gold.

“Well, I have no such thoughts. I only want to get 120 acres of land—a little home well improved—then I am content.”

If you are not content now, neither will you be then. For possessions cannot produce contentment. Contentment is a condition of mind which will always be strongest where the affections are most severed from this world, and placed “on things above.”

But have you well considered our text? Are you really content with food and raiment? Indeed, we should not only be content therewith; but how thankful should we be to our Heavenly Father for these blessings! and how willing to divide our small portion with those who have less! May the Lord help us to eagerly seek for heavenly treasures; enable us to put a truer estimate on those brilliant adornings: patience, goodness, contentment, and heavenly, unselfish love, cool down our interest in the vain glories, sinful allurements, and perishing treasures, of the earth, and may he inspire us with more vehement desires for that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.