Definition and Overview:
Contentment in the biblical sense refers to a state of satisfaction and peace, regardless of external circumstances. It is a virtue that is highly esteemed in Scripture, reflecting a trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Contentment is not merely a passive acceptance of one's situation but an active trust in God's goodness and faithfulness.

Biblical References:

1. Philippians 4:11-13 · The Apostle Paul provides a profound insight into contentment, stating, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Here, Paul emphasizes that contentment is learned and is rooted in the strength provided by Christ.

2. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 · Paul writes to Timothy, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." This passage highlights the sufficiency of basic needs and the futility of materialism, encouraging believers to find contentment in godliness.

3. Hebrews 13:5 · The author of Hebrews exhorts, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" This verse connects contentment with the assurance of God's presence and provision, contrasting it with the love of money.

4. Proverbs 19:23 · "The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, untouched by trouble." This proverb associates contentment with the fear of the Lord, suggesting that a reverent relationship with God brings peace and security.

Theological Insights:

· Trust in God's Provision: Contentment is deeply tied to a believer's trust in God's provision. It reflects a heart that is satisfied with what God has provided, recognizing that He knows and supplies what is best for His children.

· Detachment from Materialism: The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of wealth. Contentment serves as a safeguard against these temptations, encouraging believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporal possessions.

· Spiritual Discipline: Contentment is a spiritual discipline that requires intentionality and practice. It involves cultivating gratitude, focusing on God's promises, and resisting the cultural pressures to acquire more.

· Joy and Peace: A contented heart is marked by joy and peace, fruits of the Spirit that transcend circumstances. Contentment allows believers to experience God's peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Practical Application:

· Cultivating Gratitude: Regularly practicing gratitude can help foster contentment. By acknowledging and giving thanks for God's blessings, believers can shift their focus from what they lack to what they have.

· Simplifying Life: Simplifying one's lifestyle and reducing unnecessary possessions can lead to greater contentment. This aligns with the biblical call to live humbly and focus on what truly matters.

· Relying on God's Strength: As Paul demonstrated, contentment is possible through reliance on Christ's strength. Believers are encouraged to seek His empowerment to remain content in all situations.

· Community and Support: Engaging with a community of believers can provide support and encouragement in the pursuit of contentment. Sharing testimonies and burdens can help reinforce trust in God's provision.

Contentment, as portrayed in Scripture, is a profound expression of faith and trust in God. It is a learned attitude that brings great spiritual gain and aligns the believer's heart with God's eternal purposes.1. (a.) Contained within limits; hence, having the desires limited by that which one has; not disposed to repine or grumble; satisfied; contented; at rest.

2. (n.) That which is contained; the thing or things held by a receptacle or included within specified limits; as, the contents of a cask or bale or of a room; the contents of a book.

3. (n.) Power of containing; capacity; extent; size.

4. (n.) Area or quantity of space or matter contained within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial contents.

5. (v.) To satisfy the desires of; to make easy in any situation; to appease or quiet; to gratify; to please.

6. (v.) To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.

7. (n.) Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition; freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment; moderate happiness.

8. (n.) Acquiescence without examination.

9. (n.) That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy.

10. (n.) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote; also, a member who votes Content..

CONTENT; CONTENTMENT

kon-tent', kon-tent'-ment (ya`al; arkeo): To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew means simply "to be pleased." The Greek brings out the full force of the word in 1 Timothy 6:8 Hebrews 13:5. Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is more inward than satisfaction; the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object.

842. autarkes -- self-sufficient, sufficient
... Cognate: 842 (the adjectival form of 841 , "contentment") -- properly, self-sufficient,
content in the sense of being satisfied because living in God's content ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/842.htm - 7k

714. arkeo -- to assist, suffice
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: arkeo Phonetic Spelling: (ar-keh'-o) Short
Definition: I am sufficient, I suffice, am content, satisfied Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/714.htm - 7k

2758. kenoo -- to empty
... to empty. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kenoo Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-o'-o) Short Definition: I empty, deprive of content, make unreal Definition: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2758.htm - 7k

2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit
... hikano or hikneomai, akin to heko) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season),
ie Ample (in amount) or fit (in character) -- able, + content, enough, good ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2425.htm - 8k

2756. kenos -- empty
... kenos Phonetic Spelling: (ken-os') Short Definition: empty, vain, hollow Definition:
(a) empty, (b) met: empty (in moral content), vain, ineffective, foolish ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2756.htm - 7k

5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for
... Lord's . The content of these intercessions goes beyond human language,
and includes bringing into our daily walk with Christ. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5241.htm - 7k

4160. poieo -- to make, do
... or less direct) -- abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, +
bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4160.htm - 14k

2106. eudokeo -- to think well of, ie to be well-pleased
... Word Origin from eu and dokeo Definition to think well of, ie to be well-pleased
NASB Word Usage am well content (1), am well-pleased (5), been pleased (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2106.htm - 8k

2761. kenos -- in vain
... Cognate: 2761 -- properly, for ; hence, (without content); lacking (deficient);
(figuratively) sense; foolish because (ineffective), ie to because (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2761.htm - 6k

3710. orgizo -- to make angry
... arising from the . " (unnecessary) anger" focuses on punishing the rather
than the moral content of the . See 3709 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3710.htm - 7k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... affliction, outward appearance, before, think best, color, conceit, be content.
Probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively ...
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ...
... undertook (1), ventured (2), willing (5). assay, begin, be content, please,
take upon, willingly, would. A primitive root (probably rather ...
/hebrew/2974.htm - 6k

14. abah -- to be willing, to consent
... consent, rest content will, be willing. A primitive root; to breathe after, ie
(figuratively) to be acquiescent -- consent, rest content will, be willing. ...
/hebrew/14.htm - 6k

8085. shama -- to hear
... obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.) -- X attentively, call (gather) together,
X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X ...
/hebrew/8085.htm - 7k

3401. yarib -- opponent, adversary
... From riyb; literally, he will contend; properly, adjective, contentious; used as
noun, an adversary -- that content(-eth), that strive. see HEBREW riyb. ...
/hebrew/3401.htm - 6k

3190. yatab -- to be good, well, glad, or pleasing
... happy, successful, right) -- be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make)
better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content, diligent(-ly), dress ...
/hebrew/3190.htm - 7k

Content or Happy? March 11.
... Content or Happy? March 11. My friends, whether you will be the happier
for any knowledge of physical science, or for any other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /content or happy march 11.htm

And, not Content to have Ascribed These Carnal Unions to the ...
... Book IV. 22 And, not content to have ascribed these carnal unions to the
venerable Saturn? And, not content to have ascribed these ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/22 and not content to.htm

"Could You Therefore, be Content to be one of the Primitive ...
... [Way-2-27] "Could you therefore, be content to be one of the primitive
Christians? "Could you therefore, be content to be one ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-27 could you therefore be.htm

The Content of Prayer: Its Four Moods
... CHAPTER IX THE CONTENT OF PRAYER: ITS FOUR MOODS. THE CONTENT OF PRAYER:
ITS FOUR MOODS After thus interpreting the benefactions ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter ix the content of.htm

Content of Revelation. God Three in one and the Incarnation.
... Chapter IV. The Theology of S. Athanasius Section 5. Content of Revelation.
God Three in One and the Incarnation. To dwell at length ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 5 content of revelation.htm

The New Testament Has Hindered the Natural Impulse to Give to the ...
... The New Testament has hindered the natural impulse to give to the content of Religion
a simple, clear, and logical expression, but, on the other hand, it has ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 11 the new testament.htm

The Research after Definite Truth Enjoined on us when we have ...
... The Prescription Against Heretics. Chapter IX."The Research After Definite Truth
Enjoined on Us When We Have Discovered This, We Should Be Content. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter ix the research after definite.htm

That He is Sure to be Restless who Will not be Content with the ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter VIII. That he is sure to be restless who will not be
content with the work of his own hands. "Because we were ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii that he is.htm

That Although not Understanding them to be the Gifts of God, they ...
... Book IV. Chapter 21."That Although Not Understanding Them to Be the Gifts of God,
They Ought at Least to Have Been Content with Virtue and Felicity. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 that although not understanding.htm

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. Therefore Take no Thought, Saying ...
... [112]Paul Gerhardt.1657. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855. Be thou content; be
still before. ... Make glad with life and light thy dreary days. Be thou content. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/fifteenth sunday after trinity therefore.htm

Content (30 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote; also,
a member who votes Content.. ... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTENT; CONTENTMENT. ...
/c/content.htm - 17k

Therewith (53 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (KJV). ...
/t/therewith.htm - 23k

Discontent (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not content; discontented; dissatisfied.
2. (vt) To deprive of content; to make uneasy; to dissatisfy. ...
/d/discontent.htm - 7k

Pay (212 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service
rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to ...
/p/pay.htm - 37k

Willing (152 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto
them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. (KJV WBS). ...
/w/willing.htm - 35k

Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest I-not the Lord-say, if any brother has an
unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. ...
/u/unbelieving.htm - 13k

Eschatology
... The distinction in Judaism rested on a consciousness of difference in quality between
the two stages, the content of the Messianic age being far less ...
/e/eschatology.htm - 70k

Contentment (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The state of being contented or satisfied;
content. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTENT; CONTENTMENT. ...
/c/contentment.htm - 9k

Contented (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Content; easy in mind; satisfied; quiet; willing.
Multi-Version Concordance Contented (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/contented.htm - 6k

Creeds
... they endeavor to explain their worship and to find a rationale of it in certain
facts which they formulate into a confession; and lastly, not content with the ...
/c/creeds.htm - 28k

Thematic Content Index | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about contentment? | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of First and Second Chronicles? | GotQuestions.org

Content: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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