The Secret of Contentment

by William B. Barcley

The temptation to be discontent is everywhere. Advertisements bombard us, feeding our dissatisfaction by telling us we are incomplete and unfulfilled. And yet the seeds of discontentment are already present in our own sinful hearts.



Almost four hundred years ago, Jeremiah Burroughs wrote of the "rare jewel" of Christian contentment. If it was a rarity in the days of the Puritans, how much more is this true today!



William Barcley addresses the heart of the the discontent that lies within. Based in the writings of Jeremiah Burroughs and Thomas Watson, he presents afresh these great Puritans' meditations on contentment for a modern audience. Above all, he seeks the wisdom of Paul, who declared that he had found the "mystery" or the "secret" of being content.



Contentment must be learned, and Barcley reveals the secret, calling us to a contentment that comes from knowing God and delighting in his sovereign goodness and fatherly care.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Christianity, Counselling, Theology

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[SJ Shideler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would definitely recommend! Easy read with good nuggets. Super Bible-based and helpful in the pursuit of contentment!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do not read Barcley’s Puritan sources, then choose this short treatise on contentment to drive your heart and mind heavenward.

Through a quick study in Philippians, Barcley draws out both old and new from the storehouse of the Gospel, remaining us how our hearts are transformed with Christ at the center, permitting us a newfound contentment in Him alone.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first few chapters, with some useful stuff on contentment. But after a while I felt that there was too much from the Puritans, and not enough gritty stuff from people who have lived more recently, and not so much interaction with the struggles of people today in everyday life. And the final couple of chapters seemed to wander from contentment, as if the book needed to be of a certain size, so let's carry on with a couple more chapters. It had been fairly punchy, but wilted. But helpful stuff, don't get me wrong.

[Brian Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book gets you thinking but not too much

I liked the book over all
Good for men's bible study with questions after each chapter
The iBook version didn't have the questions kindle did -weird.
The printed book had questions too
Got some good discussions going
And it was convenient for a men's group - not much before hand to study or teach - read book and answer questions after every chapter
Slick

[Brittany Petruzzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some REALLY good stuff in here, but also a lot of extraneous fluff, filler, and non-sequitur anecdotes. Worth the read for people who are too lazy (me) or too intimidated to read the Burroughs classic.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful explanation of how to find contentment in Christ rather than in material objects or your situation. Each chapter ends with questions to evaluate yourself and increase your contentment. Barcley says he took the wisdom of Jeremiah Burroughs' The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and Thomas Watson's The Art of Divine Contentment along with the book of Philippians ("Paul's letter of joy") to apply lessons in contentment in a modern context. I benefited more from Watson's The Art of Divine Contentment than this book.

Barcley summarizes the book by saying,

The Christian experiences a foretaste of glory [Heaven] as he lives in vital union and communion with God in Christ. This is the root of our contentment.

and

This is the essence of Christian contentment. Enjoying (finding joy in) God. Delighting and resting in him. At the same time, this is the essence of godliness.

and

The key to contentment is living for God instead of self.

Barcley is a PCA pastor and former Academic Dean of Reformed Theological Seminary.

Notes
Passages about contentment
Phil 2:14; 4:10-13; Heb 13:5; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Heb 12:3-11; Ps 73; Rom 8 (esp. vv 17-39); 2 Cor 4:16 - 5:9

Preface

The discontented spirit desires more of the things of the world, an attitude at the Bible calls covetousness. This in turn leads to a host of other sins. So if we are going to achieve holiness, we must pursue contentment.

Introduction
At the root of anger, depression, lack of joy, self-focus is discontent. It's not resting in God's sovereignty. It's not delighting in Him and His will. It's sitting on the throne of your life and wallowing in self-pitying resentment. It's refusal to yield to the One whose purposes and plans are perfect, who can use you as He sees fit, and who knows what is best for your life.

Desiring God by John Piper doesn't explicitly address contentment, but speaks volumes on the subject.

The Nature of Christian Contentment
In Philippians, Paul uses words "joy" or "rejoice" 16 times.

Joy refers to a state of gladness that typically occurs in Scripture with the recognition that God is in control no matter where we find ourselves. Joy is not a mere surface or momentary happiness. It goes deeper than that. The joyful heart is the contented heart, because it recognizes and delights in God's sovereign power and providential goodness.

Paul was able to be content because God gave him the strength (Phil 4:13), and God can strengthen all believers.

True contentment comes from being satisfied with God and longing for Heaven.

Recognizing the inevitability of hardships (2 Cor 6:4-10; Luke 9:23; 2 Tim 3:12) helps us face them with contentment.

Accept all hardships as from the hand of your heavenly Father (Gen 50:20).

"Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." —Jeremiah Burroughs

The Necessity of Christian Contentment
Contentment and joy are inseparable.

Grumbling shows a lack of faith; disbelief that God's in control and able to keep His promises.

Discontent can lead to other sins (coveting, arguing, fighting, murder, adultery, lying, etc.).

Worship is not only "doing what pleases God" but also "being pleased with what God does."

The Dangers of a Murmuring, Discontented Spirit
We may speak with friends about our struggles (as Paul did) as long as we don't complain. We may also reverently complain to God (Ps 6, 10, 13; Hab 1:1 - 2:1; Ex 2:23-25).

When tempted to complain, consider what God has done for you: purchased you with Christ's death, made you see your sin, turned you away from yourself, put all things at your disposal.

Grumbling hurts your witness; be content for the sake of the lost.

Finding Contentment in the Midst of Affliction
See afflictions as mercies from God, Who knows what's best for His children (Heb 12; Gen 50:20).

"There is nothing sinful about desiring and praying for difficult circumstances to change. But we need to seek how we can serve Christ where we are."

Discover the duty God has given you in your circumstances and perform it contentedly, rather than obsessing over changing your circumstances.

Contentment comes from being ruled by God's will and desires rather than your own. Look away from yourself and rest in God's sovereign control.

The Mathematics of Contentment
Recognize that sin, not your suffering, is your greatest enemy.

Subtract from your desires until they match your circumstances.

Remove ungodly desires from your heart (Jas 4:1-8; Col 3:5).

The Contentment of Longing for Heaven

The contented Christian does not long for heaven just to escape life on earth. He longs for heaven because he already knows the sweetness of communion with life on earth. Heaven is already in his soul, bringing peace and contentment.

Finding Contentment in the Enjoyment of God
Find contentment in joyful fellowship with God in this life
• Relationship with God through Christ
• Fellowship and communion with God
• Knowing God personally, intimately
• Joy of worship and delight in God's presence
• Comfort and security of knowing nothing can take you from God's hand

Continually go to God, the source of your joy, strength, peace, and contentment, through prayer, Bible reading, meditation, praise.

God sometimes removes other sources of our pleasure so we learn to find all our delight in Him.

The Contentment of Being Conformed to the Image of Christ
Image of God is marred by Fall, but progressively restored by conformity to Christ, Who is the image of God. This restoration will be complete in Heaven.

Contentment comes from considering others above ourselves and giving ourselves to serve them, as Christ did (Eph 5:1-2).

There are no "little people"; God can use anyone. There are no "little places"; God wants us to be completely committed to Him in the place He puts us. Be content with your gifts and place of service.

Conclusion: The Riches of Godliness with Contentment
"Happiness can be found neither in ourselves nor in external things, but in God and in ourselves as united to him." —Blaise Pascal

Recognize that you're a pilgrim and stranger in this world (1 Tim 6:7), and learn to live without expecting comforts of home or for your desires to be met.

We should enjoy what God gives us (1 Tim 4:4; 6:7; 1 Cor 10:31).

… there was never any man or woman so contented as a self-denying [one] … A discontented heart is troubled because he has no more comfort, but a self-denying man rather wonders that he has as much as he has. —Jeremiah Burroughs

[Levi Van Hoecke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last three chapters were very rich and brought it up from a 2 star to a 3 star. The other two stars are for some very solid scriptural exposition of Paul’s New Testament letters in regards to contentment. However, taking one star off for a meandering writing style with lots of friction in the transitional anecdotes.
And, some bits in the middle were very tone deaf in relation to suffering. It was suggested that grieving and focusing on our sin helps lessen other burdens in our life; however, while repentance is great I didn’t feel like the pursuit of repentance was distinguished from self infliction of judgement. I disagree with the brand of puritan thought that says introspective guilt is a good thing carte blanche; just because we are all sinners doesn’t mean all brands of guilt are helpful, particularly unresolved shame. I think Job, Psalms and Lamentations would have been good texts to draw from to balance the sinful potential of discontent with the redemptive and dignified aspects of confession, lament, and empathy for situations that genuinely stink. In other words, I can see how a lot of this book just sounds like “get over it” or “be content” to those who are hurting. I don’t think that was the authors intent. But it sounds like it.

Anywho, I’d probably go with a different book on the topic if I had a do-over, but there was still plenty of substance.

[Alex Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A month ago I was asked to lead a group discussion on contentment, and I walked away that night with the greatest awareness of discontentment in my own life. This book, expounding on Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, brings much to light that I need to take heed lest I fall.

J.C. Ryle asserts, “Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world: one is a young man humble, and the other is an old man content.” And It is no surprise Jeremiah Burroughs describes contentment as a “rare jewel.” While I perceive my discontented heart as something akin to the lacklusterness of a rough stone (much unlike a rare jewel), one must LEARN to be content as Paul did. I suspect it will be an entire lifetime of learning all while echoing the sentiment of Paul in his quest for godliness as great gain, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.”

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as a supplement for a Bible Study I was leading on contentment. Our study was out of the book of numbers and oh so appropriate for the unrest of 2020- pandemic, racial unrest, partisan politics about everything including wearing a mask. How do we be content in the moment where we find ourselves? How do we wait on the Lord and trust Him? Highly recommend!

[Lynne Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand and follow, this book has excellent Biblical explanations for why and how contenment and disconten work in our lives.

The only thing I found distracting is nearly every chapter, and sometimes more than a few times in a chapter, there were many "First," and "Second" and "Third" arguments. That is fine but perhaps some creative variations like "next" and "finally".

[Natalie Print · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable, challenging and biblical book, which helps the reader to see that part of living out faith in Jesus is to grow in contentment through the ups and downs of life. Barclay recognises how easily we can become discontent and encourages us to challenge that in our own lives with God's help.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book, not a great book, I found it to be a little dry. It will give you some matter to ponder and digest, but I was hoping for more.

[Timothy Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy. Rejoice in the lord always

[Matt Witten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, not great. Some surface level stiff gets repeated a lot, then some deeper theological questions get passed over. Nothing bad and was enjoyable, just wasn’t quite what I hoped for.

[Sedona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of filler text, repetitive information, but based on sound biblical truths.

[Greg Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, clear and very helpful

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile and pastoral.

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own.

Barcley's book is an attempt to bring together Burroughs' Hidden Jewel and Watson's Art of Divine Contentment and bring them into the 21st Century for the modern reader. He builds his argument carefully and in detail, so that the last chapters reverberate with the joy and peace that contentment in Christ brings. He beautifully pulls scripture from the Psalms, Hebrews, Philippians, the Gospels all together for a picture of what that life can look like.

The earlier chapters have much to hash through and can be a bit difficult reading ... because of the actual writing itself as well as the content. It is difficult to be challenged to examine yourself, add and subtract to your own burdens, circumstances, and desires.

The book's modish use of bullet points and a numbered outline could be a positive or negative for you. I, personally, am not a fan, but a lot of people are.

This book has questions at the end of each chapter which I didn't utilize, but could make for a good devotional, reflective book.

Happily, I read this book around the time of our Women's Retreat on which our speaker was dealing with the topic of Contentment and Rest. This was a great accompaniment and follow-through. It helped me with her presentations and vice versa.

I give it four because the early chapters aren't as engaging as the latter chapters. I enjoyed it and am glad I read it.

[John]

A good strong dose of biblical instruction for being content, not based on circumstances, but on what Christ has done, our future hope, and our communion with God. I think there is a peculiar expectation of Christians to read books like these and expect to become a content Christian after reading. Barcley doesn't give us any indication that by reading his book will accomplish this, but rather he sets his readers on the trajectory of a life that finds contentment in God and his promises.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great modern read on the problem of discontent in the Christian life. The world bombards us with reasons why we shouldn't be content, but Barcley presents the call of every Christian to know and delight in God....and, therefore, learn true contentment. This is definitely a book I will be referencing often.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, especially to read together as a group. The format leans nicely for discussion with questions following each chapter. It is only 9 chapters long with a conclusion, so it does not take long to complete. The chapters are just the right length to complete in less than an hour. And the questions are thought-provoking and generate discussion.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on contentment that distills both Burroughs and Watson into a very accessible form. Not quite as good as going back to the original sources but certainly an easier read for those not familiar with reading the Puritans. Highly recommended!

[Susanna]

recommended by Westminster bookstore

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. This is helping me re-focus on God, away from idols in my life and to learn to be satisfied in Him.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great reminder that complaining is SIN. I learned a lot about being content! Highly recommend!

[Jane Austen]

Going through this book with ABHG, a really great read!

[Mark]

I'm working through this slowly. So far, so good.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good modern compendium and review of the biblical (and Puritan) teaching on contentment.

[Richard Van den broek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that explores how Christians can be content. It looks at the example of Christ. A great challenge and encouragement to submit ourselves to God's perfect plan.

[Aaron Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spiritually life changing.