The
Pastor's
Bookshelf

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

      I highly recommend this book. As with most Puritan writings I find it "food for the soul." It's especially helpful if you are suffering afflictions, and become easily frustrated and resentful. It is also helpful if you are dis-content with your job, or any other position in life.

      Burroughs begins by describing contentment based on the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians 4:11: "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." One helpful point Burroughs mentions is that contentment can be "learned." We see this clearly from Paul's words here in Philippians 4.

      So if you are dis-content and frustrated, take heart, there is hope for you. It is possible to learn contentment. For much of the book Burroughs explains practical ways to learn contentment.

      He walks through literally hundreds of practical ways to be content, but I will hopefully whet your appetite with only one which I found helpful. When you are discontent Burroughs suggests considering the greatness of the mercies that you have, and the meanness (small significance) of the things you lack. The things we lack in this world are very small compared to the things we have in Christ.

      He gives the example of a godly man named Didymus. Didymus was blind. His friend Anthony once asked him if he was troubled by his lack of sight. Didymus confessed he was, "But," he said, "should I be troubled at the want of what flies and dogs have, and not rather rejoice and be thankful that I have what angels have?" Burroughs says that a Christian must reason in the same way: "It may be you have not such great blessings in earthly places as some others have, but if the Lord has blessed you in heavenly places, that should content you."

      This is a helpful book for every Christian, because we all suffer from various forms of dis-contentment in this life.

      So my advice is: "tolle, lege" (take up, and read)!

Rev. David J. Rogers
Senior Pastor, Town North Presbyterian Church