CONTENTMENT by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 24, 1860

CONTENTMENT.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

"BE content with such things as ye have." Heb. xiii, 5. Truly this is a timely admonition in these last days of peril, murmurings and unbounded selfishness. I have often thought that there never was a time when murmurings and ingratitude were so universal as the present. Satan is sly and crafty, and always on the alert to assault every individual at the weakest point. And he certainly finds many, very many, weak and unguarded in this particular. How many families has he entered by this same spirit and forever destroyed their peace and harmony! How many churches has he scattered and torn in the same way! Alas! he is too successful in this method of carrying forward his last great deceptive work, because the Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell where this is cherished and indulged; neither can the ark of God abide under a roof where it predominates.

Why not with the apostle learn to be content in whatsoever circumstances we are placed? He knew what it was both to abound and to suffer need. It is hardly to be supposed that any under the third message have suffered from hunger and privation, as he did while preaching the good news of a risen Saviour, and hear his grateful conclusion: "Having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. vi, 8.

The words of our Lord also have a close bearing upon this point: "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind; for all these things do the nations of the world seek after." Luke xii, 29, 30. Yes, the world has gone wild after feasting, and fashion, and extravagance in everything, and "what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness?" Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you." 2 Cor. vi, 14, 17, 18. Let the world think strange of us, if they will, because we run not to the same excess with them.

If we are rich we have nothing to spare to gratify the flesh; for it is the Lord's means placed in our hands to advance the interests of his cause. If poor we may rejoice, and "be content" even with that, because God has chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, and also has left the precious promise, that if we do good and trust in the Lord, we shall be fed. Ps. xxxvii, 3. At least our bread and water will be sure.

True we may not share as largely in the good things of this life as when all our energies and interests were there, neither as largely as some of our brethren. But what of that? The Lord knows how to temper every one for the kingdom. Perhaps we are proud and high-minded, and must be brought through adversity to humble us. We know by experience that prosperity does not bring us near to God, but it is when every earthly source of comfort fails that we are brought to feel our entire dependence upon him, and repose with confidence in his promises.

But if tribulation works impatience, what will the trial of our faith in this respect profit us? While the children of Israel were on trial, they murmured against God, and desired to return into the land of bondage. And what was the result? They were destroyed in the wilderness. And what is the apostle's admonition to us? Neither murmur ye as they also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Just so sure as we fail where they failed, we shall share their fate. May the Lord help all those who have planted their feet upon the firm platform to shun this snare by a reconciliation to their lot, saying with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." E. J. W.