Cultivating Contentment and Gratitude in Uncertainty and Risk
Cultivating contentment and gratitude, especially amidst uncertainty and risk, is a recurring theme in Christian thought, often linked to the concept of godliness and trust in divine providence. The apostle Paul, for instance, connects godliness with contentment, stating that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). This "godliness" is understood not as a single grace, but as the full scope of internal religion, encompassing faith, hope, love, and fear, which manifests in outward worship and a holy life [1]. Matthew Henry further explains that while some might view Christianity as a means to worldly advantage, true contentment comes from recognizing that godliness itself is the greatest gain, even if it doesn't always lead to material prosperity [3].
Gratitude is presented as a continuous state, regardless of circumstances. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Thessalonians 5:18, emphasizes that believers should "in every thing give thanks" because "all things work together for good to them that love God" [2]. This perspective suggests that both prosperity and adversity can be beneficial for those living in devotion to God, making every event a potential reason for gratitude [2]. This constant thankfulness is seen as God's will, leading to happiness, a spirit of prayer, and continuous spiritual growth [2].
The practice of remembering God's past mercies is also crucial for fostering gratitude. Adam Clarke notes that God instituted feasts like the Feast of Tabernacles to help generations remember His providential care and grace in delivering them from Egypt and preserving them in the wilderness [8]. Such recollections are intended to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and obedience by reminding believers of the great favors they have received [8]. John Gill, reflecting on Psalm 31:7, expresses gladness and rejoicing in God's mercy, acknowledging its vastness and its role in redemption, regeneration, forgiveness, and eternal life [6].
Contentment is also associated with the security found in fearing God. Matthew Henry observes that those who live in the fear of God experience safety and satisfaction, not necessarily immunity from affliction, but an assurance that no evil can truly harm them or separate them from God's love [7]. This abiding satisfaction provides a constant contentment that worldly satisfactions cannot offer [7]. The concept of growing in grace, as described by John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18, also contributes to contentment, as it involves the increase of spiritual gifts and internal grace, which helps preserve believers from error and fosters spiritual thriving [4]. John Chrysostom highlights that the grace received through faith includes not only the remission of sins but also countless other benefits and the promise of "unutterable blessings" [5].
Sources
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. By "godliness" is not meant any particular grace, but all the graces of the Spirit of God; as faith, hope, love, fear, &c. the whole of internal religion, as it shows itself in outward worship, and in all acts of holiness of life and conversation; and which the doctrine that is according to godliness teaches and engages to; and this is gain, very great gain indeed. A man possessed of true godliness is a gaining, thriving, man: such as are godly, or truly gracious, they are come into good and happy circumstances, and are ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks - For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. For this is the will of God - That ye should be always happy; that ye should ever be in the spirit of prayer; and that ye should profit by every occurrence in life, and be continually grateful and obedient; for gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected.”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 6:6: From the mention of the abuse which some put upon religion, making it to serve their secular advantages, the apostle, I. Takes occasion to show the excellency of contentment and the evil of covetousness. 1. The excellency of contentment, Ti1 6:6-8. Some account Christianity an advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed, and fi”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: “by faith, unto this grace.” What grace is this? tell me. It is the being counted worthy of the knowledge of God, the being forced from error, the coming to a knowledge of the Truth, the obtaining of all the blessings that come through Baptism. For the end of His bringing us near was that we might receive these gifts. For it was not only that we might have simple remission of sins, that we were reconciled; but that we might receive also countless benefits. Nor did He even pause at these, but promised others, namely, those unutterable blessings that p”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 31:7: I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy,.... Both because of the nature of it, which is large and abundant, free and sovereign, from everlasting to everlasting, and is communicated in and through Christ, and is a good ground of hope and trust; and because of the effects of it, or what it has produced; for to it are owing the covenant of grace, and all the sure mercies of it; the mission of Christ, and redemption by him; regeneration, and the forgiveness of sins, and even eternal life and glory; besides a multitude of blessings, deliverances, and salvations in Provide”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 19:23: See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him. 1. Safety: They shall not be visited with evil; they may be visited with sickness or other afflictions, but there shall be no evil in them, nothing to hurt them, because nothing to separate them from the love of God, or hurt to the soul. 2. Satisfaction: They shall abide satisfied; they shall have those comforts which are satisfying, and shall have a constant contentment and complacency in them. It is a satisfaction which will abide, whereas all the sati”
- Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 23:43: That your generations may know, etc. - By the institution of this feast God had two great objects in view: 1. To perpetuate the wonderful display of his providence and grace in bringing them out of Egypt, and in preserving them in the wilderness. 2. To excite and maintain in them a spirit of gratitude and obedience, by leading them to consider deeply the greatness of the favors which they had received from his most merciful hands. Signal displays of the mercy, kindness, and providential care of God should be particularly remembered. When we recollect that we des”