Contentment by subtraction
A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by
addition, as by way of subtraction. That is his way of
contentment, and it is a way that the world has no skill in. I
open it thus: not so much by adding to what he would have, or to
what he has, not by adding more to his condition; but rather
by subtracting from his desires, so
as to make his desires and his circumstances even and equal. A
carnal heart knows no way to be contented but this: I have such
and such possessions, and if I had this added to them, and the
other comfort added that I have not now, then I should be
contented. perhaps I have lost my possessions, if I could only
have given to me something to make up my loss, then I should be
a contented man. But contentment does not come in that way, it
does not come, I say, by adding to what you want, but
by subtracting from your desires.
It is all one to a Christian, whether I get up to what I would
have, or get my desires down to what I have, either to attain
what I do desire, or to bring down my desires to what I have
already attained. My wealth is the same, for it is as fitting
for me to bring my desire down to my circumstances, as it is to
raise up my circumstances to my desire.
- Jeremiah Burroughs, (1600-1646), The Rare
Jewel of Christian Contentment
