Required reading
The Religious Tradesman by Richard Steele (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7 (Of Contentment).
My summary
Today Steele speaks about contentment.
We learn about:
(i) the nature of contentment - a cheerful satisfaction in the place and calling wherein God hath set us;
(ii) instances wherein the tradesman is called to the exercise of contentment;
(iii) the necessity and propriety of this amiable and happy disposition of contentment;
(iv) the ways to achieve the happy disposition of contentment.
What grabbed me
I always enjoy learning more about contentment.
I particularly appreciated this rebuke from Steele: 'If you are christians in truth, you have enough to shame all discontent. You have the perfections of God ; the unsearchable riches of Christ: the influences of the holy Spirit of God : an interest in the promises of the gospel ; the divine image on your own souls; the infallible assurance of all needful good here; and hope and prospect of consummate blessedness in the life to come, to be your portion and happiness. And if these are not sufficient to content you, I must say, that you shamefully undervalue your high privileges. "Bear thy condition quietly, know that thou art a man," says the heathen philosopher; with much more propriety may I say, be contented with thy state, know that thou art a christian. Thou professest to live by faith, do not act below reason.'
As Christians we have every reason to be completely content.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8 (Of religion).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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