I Have Learned, in Whatever State I Am, Therewith to Be Content
Contentment is not a natural part of human nature, but rather something that must be cultivated through effort and discipline.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that contentment is not inherent to humanity but must be cultivated through discipline and spiritual growth. He compares discontent to weeds that grow naturally, while contentment is a heavenly flower requiring care and attention. Spurgeon reflects on Paul's journey to learn contentment, highlighting that it is a process that involves struggle and perseverance, especially in difficult circumstances. He encourages believers to hush their natural complaints and actively pursue the grace of contentment as a learned discipline. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a commitment to nurturing this virtue in our lives.
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These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. "Ill weeds grow apace." Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: and so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener's care.
Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated; it will not grow in us by nature; it is the new nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us. Paul says, "I have learned . . . to be content;" as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down.
And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," he was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave--a poor prisoner shut up in Nero's dungeon at Rome. We might well be willing to endure Paul's infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by any means attain unto his good degree. Do not indulge the notion that you can be contented with learning, or learn without discipline.
It is not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that murmur, natural though it be, and continue a diligent pupil in the College of Content.
Sermon Outline
- Contentment is not a natural propensity of man
- The cultivation of contentment requires effort and discipline
- Paul's experience of learning contentment
- The importance of continued diligence in cultivating contentment
Key Quotes
“Ill weeds grow apace.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“I have learned . . . to be content;” — C.H. Spurgeon
“We know this from experience.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must be willing to put in the effort required to cultivate contentment in our lives.
- We must be diligent in our pursuit of contentment, and not give up when faced with challenges.
- We can learn from Paul's experience and example, and strive to attain the same level of contentment that he achieved.