The Secret of Being Content
The secret to contentment is knowing how to be satisfied in all circumstances, looking forward to a heavenly home.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of contentment in a Christian's life, asserting that true satisfaction comes not from worldly possessions but from a hope for eternal treasures in heaven. He reflects on the idea that while earthly goods may provide temporary comfort, they cannot fulfill the deeper longings of the soul. Brooks encourages believers to recognize their status as pilgrims on earth, longing for a better, heavenly home, and to adopt a mindset of hope for greater things beyond what the world offers.
Text
A man needs very little of this world's goods to
carry him through his pilgrimage, until he comes
to his home--until he comes to heaven.
A little will satisfy the demands of nature;
though nothing will satisfy a man's lusts!
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how
to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned
the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry,
whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12
A Christian, in the midst of all his worldly delights, comforts,
and entertainments, says, "Oh these are not the delights, the
comforts, the contentments which my soul looks for, which
my soul expects and hopes to enjoy. I look and hope . . .
for choicer delights,
for sweeter comforts,
for more satisfying contentments,
for more durable riches!
A Christian's motto always is, or always should be, "I hope
for better things! I hope for better things than any the world
can give to me, or than any that Satan can take from me!"
"They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on
earth. Instead, they were longing for a better country
--a heavenly one." Hebrews 11:13, 16
Sermon Outline
- I. The Little That Satisfies
- A. A man needs little to carry him through life
- B. Nature's demands are easily met
- C. Lusts, however, are insatiable
- II. Contentment in All Circumstances
- A. Paul's secret to contentment (Philippians 4:11-12)
- B. Knowing how to have little and how to have much
- III. The Christian's Hope
- A. Looking for choicer delights and sweeter comforts
- B. Hoping for better things than the world can give
- IV. The Heavenly Home
- A. Longing for a better country, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:13, 16)
Key Quotes
“A man needs very little of this world's goods to carry him through his pilgrimage, until he comes to his home--until he comes to heaven.” — Thomas Brooks
“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” — Thomas Brooks
“I hope for better things! I hope for better things than any the world can give to me, or than any that Satan can take from me!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- As a Christian, I should be content in all circumstances, trusting in God's provision.
- My hope should be in a heavenly home, not in the fleeting pleasures of this world.
- I should always look for better things, trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness.