Covetous or Contented (Radical Christianity Book 5)

Full of delicious truths. A balm to the soul! Aug 16, John rated it really liked it. To be content is what God calls us to and is what distinguishes us as those who have experienced the transforming work of God in our lives. In God economy, Burroughs suggests, we come to contentment not by addition, but by subtraction.

What is it that we have received that we ought to be content in? We consider the sufferings of Christ and wonder why we should suffer so little. But, when our hearts are ungrateful and discontent, we grieve God. It reminds us how universal the problem is. Burroughs book is well worth the read. It calls us to the heart of God and in doing so convicts powerfully. The pace of the book is tough for the contemporary reader, myself included, and not necessarily linear in its organization.

Burroughs circles the topic more than moves through the reader toward a destination. And the practical applications are less clear than his statement of the problem. Apr 09, Brian rated it it was amazing. A surprisingly calming read. Elizabethans had the same problems as us! A very wise book with loads of insightful quotes, as thus: The Devil works both upon the corruptions of their hearts and the melancholy disease of their bodies, and though much grace may lie underneath, yet under affliction there may be some risings against God himself.

Should God make the worst interpretation of all your ways towards him, as you do of his towards you, it would be very ill with you. God is pleased to manifest his love thus to us, to make the best interpretations of what we do, and therefore God puts a sense upon the action of his people that one would think could hardly be. For example, God is pleased to call those perfect who have any uprightness of heart in them, he accounteth them perfect: Now, alas, when we look into our own hearts we can scarce see any good at all there, and yet God is pleased to make such an interpretation as to say, It is perfect.

When we look into our own hearts, we can see nothing but uncleanness; God calls you his saints, he calls the meanest Christian who has the least grace under the greatest corruption his saint.

Books by Maurice Barratt

You say we cannot be saint here, but yet I God's esteem we are saints. You know the usual title the Holy Ghost gives, in several of the Epistles, to those who had any grace, any uprightness, is, to the saints in such a place; you see what an interpretation God puts upon them, they are saints to him. And so I might name in many other particulars, how God makes the best interpretation of things; if there is an abundance of evil and a little good, God rather passes by the evil and takes notice of the good. You may think your wealth to be small and you are thereupon discontented, and it is a grievous affliction to you; but if all men in the world were poorer than you, then you would not be discontented, then you would rejoice in your estates though you had not a penny more than you have.

Worse is their introspectionism, which sadly continues in some quarters of the church. If you tend that way, this book is for you. If you are more well adjusted, this book may not be consoling for you. But we're all whiners, so the content is definitely not optional. So, you should probably read and re-read it. Jan 30, Marie rated it really liked it Shelves: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment had a really good message! Oh, so necessary, too.

Don't lie to me: It might be over little things I get discontent when I'm the one doing the dishes again or over big things some struggle with coveting their neighbor's belongings , but we all struggle with it now and again. Jeremiah Burroughs was a preacher of Europe-wide renown, and he even admits to the occasional struggle.

In his moderate-length exposition on the "rare jewel" of Christian contentment, he shares insights from the Bible on how to seek and attain it, and gives encouragement to those currently struggling. The audiobook is about 8 hours long, and I don't think that Burroughs repeated a single Bible verse! He really knows his Bible, and quoted from many different parts, both Old and New Testament. I never felt that the book became repetitious in any way.

One tiny thing irked me, though: I think every single chapter contained at least one numbered list. This might not matter if you're reading a physical copy, but I got to hear the narrator count to ten over and over again! The book was originally published in , but I had no trouble with the language. There were a very few references to the reader's servants Overall, I definitely recommend. My pastor recommended it to us, and now I'm recommending it to you!

I find myself returning to it again and again to have my eyes lifted back up to Christ, my sufficiency. Dec 08, Jason rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was the first book I read aloud for my podcast, Hurry Up and Read. It is a fantastic look at true Christian contentment, how to attain it, and how to avoid discontent and murmuring. It is filled with analysis on reasons people give for discontent, and I found many of them convicting.

Overall, this book motivated me greatly to pursue true Christian contentment in my own life. Apr 24, Daniel Wells rated it it was amazing. One of the few books that is applicable to every Christian. I would love to preach a sermon series or teach a Sunday School series on this book. It is that good. I will be using the wisdom of Rev. Burroughs in my ministry. Jan 03, Samuel Parkison rated it it was amazing. Incredibly encouraging, convicting, and penetrating in typical Puritan fashion.

A great reminder here at the beginning of , which is bound to occasion the temptation to envy and grumble and wallow in discontentment just like did. A prideful, self-entitled complainer like myself needs the regular diagnosis of soul-doctors like Burroughs. Dec 13, Mike E. A clasic puritan work that will challenge your selfish thoughts and help you discover contentment. Burroughs is comprehensive, insightful, engineer-like.

I recommend looking at the table of contents and lingering on sections that will most help your soul with contentment. I will return to parts of this again and again. The book is available for free on-line.

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I read this version: Contentment is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitt A clasic puritan work that will challenge your selfish thoughts and help you discover contentment. Contentment is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal in every condition: That is the description, and in it nine distinct things have been opened up which we summarize as follows: First, that contentment is a heart-work within the soul; Secondly, it is the quieting of the heart; Thirdly, it is the frame of the spirit; Fourthly, it is a gracious frame; Fifthly, it is the free working of this gracious frame; Sixthly, there is in it a submission to God, sending the soul under God; Seventhly, there is a taking pleasure in the hand of God; Eighthly, all is traced to God's disposal; Ninthly, in every condition, however hard it be and however long it continue.

The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have. Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment, when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances. That is why many godly men who are in low position live more sweet and comfortable lives than those who are richer. The way of contentment is to add another burden, that is, to labor to load and burden your heart with your sin; the heavier the burden of your sin is to your heart, the lighter will the burden of your affliction be to your heart, and so you shall come to be content.

If your burden were lightened, that would content you; you think there is no way to lighten it but to get it off. But you are deceived; for if you can get your heart to be more burdened with your sin, you will be less burdened with your afflictions. Two men may have the same affliction; to one it shall be as gall and wormwood, yet it shall be wine and honey and delightfulness and joy and advantage and riches to the other. This is the mystery of contentment, not so much by removing the evil, as by metamorphosing the evil, by changing the evil into good.

Jan 21, Dan rated it really liked it. Jeremiah Burroughs British Puritan delivered this originally as a series of messages to his congregation. Burroughs has a very readable style full of excellent meditations on the sin of discontent. Every bit of bread you eat, if you are a godly man or woman, Jesus Christ has bought it for you. You are the spouse of Christ. One married to Jesus Christ and yet troubled and discontented?

Books by Maurice Barratt (Author of Will the Real Christians Please Stand Up)

Have you not enough in him? The object of his faith is high enough to satisfy his soul, were it capable of a thousand times more than it is. Now if you may have the object of your faith you have enough to content your soul. It may be that while you had these things they shared with God in your affection, a great part of the stream of your affection ran that way: God would have the full stream run to Him now. Feb 16, Jenny Suh rated it it was amazing. I first read this with a bible study group back in undergrad.

I started re-reading it in the summer of and it took me an entire year to finish it. It's one of those books where you chew on the words carefully and try to get the most flavor out of them as possible. You wouldn't think the lesson of contentment could take approximately pages to talk about, but Burroughs has made it clear that it's a lesson well worth learning and it's a lesson we will learn and re-learn our entire lives. I I first read this with a bible study group back in undergrad. I don't think my review is sufficient to cover the profundity and wisdom here.

I can't even paraphrase the most intrinsic message of his entire sermon because I feel that my words would not be enough to capture what I have learned to be an essential element of faith. I guess the only thing I can really say is that in times of disquiet in my soul, the words in this book have reminded me that there is no reason for discontentment. The facts and truths in this book have me reminding myself of reality beyond my self-centered perception of life. I have a special notebook where I have paraphrased what I consider wonderful morsels of truth from each chapter.

I'll share a few of them with you just to give you a taste of what this book is like: Instead of seeking to fix and satisfy the desires of the heart, by seeking to attain, one must cut the desires of the heart. Another way of speaking: It is better for your soul to be better than for your position to be better. Also, to only have your desires satisfied indicates self-love whereas contentment with God derives from a love of God. I am nowhere near as eloquent as Jeremiah Burroughs. You can only gain appreciation for him when you have read HIS words.

Oct 01, Kathleen rated it it was amazing Shelves: Apr 20, Casey rated it it was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book really seemed to have two themes: This book is one I should probably re-read every year to work the truth and thought processes contained therein into my thick head. In light of the wealthy land in which we live, how much more should we American Christians excel in this mark of contentment. It is no good to me. It is only a few coins. Apr 19, 7jane rated it really liked it Shelves: This book deals with keeping a content heart whether we're in a time of comfort or time of affliction.

It goes deep on the subject of Christian contentment, how it's opposite - murmuring in dissatisfaction - is dangerous and what objections people might have for murmuring , plus finally how to find a way to grow into stable contentment which is a process not happening instantly but takes time.. It goes deep on the subject of Christian contentment, how it's opposite - murmuring in dissatisfaction - is dangerous and what objections people might have for murmuring , plus finally how to find a way to grow into stable contentment which is a process not happening instantly but takes time It's about average thickness of a book, but packed thickly with words; not terribly hard to understand and some words are explained so not the hardest book on a subject to read.

Anyway, I gained more through this book than I thought I would, just like it was with that Brooks book mentioned. A very useful book IMO, and not dated. Mar 31, Aaron Pratt rated it it was amazing Shelves: One of those few books that could easily be read and re-read over and over again, a few pages a day along with the Bible.

It is that good, that deep, that challenging, and though convicting is simultaneously encouraging and lifts your soul to see the things of Christ! The author, in classic Puritan systematic style, first describes what Christian Contentment is. Then explains the mystery of contentment as it is opposite to so much of what the world preaches to us.

He goes on to show how Christ te One of those few books that could easily be read and re-read over and over again, a few pages a day along with the Bible. He goes on to show how Christ teaches us this grace, the excellence of contentment, the evils of a murmuring spirit, this excuses of a discontented heart don't we all have these excuses for ourselves in which we appease our conscience rather than repenting and coming to Christ , and finally mentions how one might better attain to be content.

May 24, Amy rated it it was amazing. I read it verrrry slowly, in little increments for over two years! It was kind of like a spiritual kick up the backside -- when I'm tending to complain or grumble um, every day , this book is fantastic medicine. Burroughs pulls no punches!

Through lots of changes move of country, three h This book!! Through lots of changes move of country, three house moves, job loss and gain, etc A well-presented study on contentment, why it matters, and how to develop it. Burroughs is, I think, at his strongest when he is debunking the various common excuses for discontentment. However, I found The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel--a meditation on the many workings of Providence in our lives and the myriad ways God has blessed us--much more encouraging and more effective at dispelling discontentment in my own life.

Although I confess that may be due at least in part to my preferenc A well-presented study on contentment, why it matters, and how to develop it. Although I confess that may be due at least in part to my preference for Flavel's style. A note on this edition: Unfortunately, this is a very poorly edited edition. Typographical and spacing errors abound. If you're going to read this book, I recommend you use a different edition. The book took awhile to get thru since it a thoughtful book. I have read several books on contentment. I am not sure I can say if any book is better.

I think each have built upon themselves. The contentment that Jeremiah Burroughs was more focused on was afflictions. We can have contentment in our afflictions because by doing so we give honor to God and grace to all people. Make sure you are ready for marriage and all its ups and downs. Then, commit to that desire! Ambition is vital for Christian Growth Prov You and I need to have more than just needs we all have needs — you need to have desires. Activities, and things that are HARD to do — that challenge you. Or else you will die!

First spiritually, then emotionally, then mentally, and then physically! Caleb had Contentment, but also had Ambition Desires. Ambition is NOT a bad word. The opposite of Ambition is Apathy. Ambition is vital for life. You need ambition for getting to the top of Mount Everest. To start transatlantic airplane flights. To actually land on the Moon, and come back alive. For discovering that cells, and all of life are controlled by miraculously designed DNA, and not by chance!

There is NO life, when wallowing in depression, disappointment and defeat. For souls to get saved Rom For companionship Gen 2: For success in life Prov For more out of life — Jabez 1Chron 4: For your family to love God and serve God 3John 1: Folks, we all need ambition — we need godly desires that help drive us forward, and upward Philp 3: Your family may not be much to look at, but you cannot EVER have your desires for your family fulfilled, until you thank God for what you have!

Your money or lack of it. Your popularity — nobody may like you as Jeremiah experienced. Your heart may act for these things to change or get better, but first, accept them from the hand of God, as a perfect gift, and be content 1Thes 5: But then again, there are needs in your life that also need to be met! Desires that are right, and ought to be fulfilled! There is nothing wrong with owning a house, and needing a place of your own. There is nothing wrong with having a good paying job, and being successful.

There is nothing wrong with taking risks and starting your own business, or investing in a new company.

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What do I mean? Before you strive for the mastery of something — before you attempt great things for God…. Caleb was 85 years old Josh He will get you into the habit of never being content, but making demands of God Psalm There are many more things to NOT covet and desire! Christians Need Balance in the following Important Areas. Be thankful first, then work hard for better. In Your Possessions — be thankful and live within your means first, and then set out to obtain more as God gives you direction and ability.

Start there, and then you will have the right foundation for expanding your wardrobe without getting immodest and carnal! In Your Marital State. God will accept our praise more than our complaining spirit. Thank God for how you are right now, and wait on God to open the door for you to pursue your desire one day! You cannot be MORE saved than you are now! But you CAN be more like Christ! Seek to be more mature, more fruitful! How God made you — be very thankful and amazed — not just tolerant.

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

What God is allowing you to experience. Seek to be better, so you can better serve God — if God will. Just make sure you serve God as you are! But HOW can anyone live in balance with such needs and or desires??? First, Give thanks in all things. Paul had learned to give thanks in every circumstance and he exhorted all believers to do the same. Thankfulness is first of all a matter of obedience 1 Thess. But it is also a characteristic of a Spirit-filled believer Eph. Second, See everything you have, as from the hand of God Isaiah Your blessings, good things. AND your troubles, trials, disasters, failures even Gen Third, Learn to rest in God's providence.

If we truly know God, we know that He is unfolding His purpose in our lives. He has sovereignly determined each part of His plan for us so that we'll be benefited and He'll be glorified cf. We should not be surprised or ungrateful when we experience trials because we know that God sees perfectly the end result cf. Paul had learned to make the choice to be satisfied with little, and he knew it was important for others to learn to make that same choice. In 1 Timothy 6: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Paul understood that covetousness and contentment are enemies. Fifth, Learn to live above life's circumstances. That's how Paul lived.