The secret of being content

(Thomas Brooks, "A String of Pearls" 1657)

A man needs very little of this world's goods to
carry him through his pilgrimage, until he comes
to his home--until he comes to heaven.

A little will satisfy the demands of nature;
though nothing will satisfy a man's lusts!

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
 I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how
 to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned
 the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry,
 whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12

A Christian, in the midst of all his worldly delights, comforts,
and entertainments, says, "Oh these are not the delights, the
comforts, the contentments which my soul looks for, which
my soul expects and hopes to enjoy. I look and hope  . . .
  for choicer delights,
  for sweeter comforts,
  for more satisfying contentments,
  for more durable riches!

A Christian's motto always is, or always should be, "I hope
for better things! I hope for better things than any the world
can give to me, or than any that Satan can take from me!"

"They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on
 earth. Instead, they were longing for a better country
 --a heavenly one." Hebrews 11:13, 16