The Art of Divine Contentment

An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

The contented heart is never out of heart. Contentment is a golden shield that beats back discouragement. True contentment will trust God even when it cannot see him. Why are you discontented? Is it because you are temporarily dispossessed of comforts? You who are discontented because you do not have all you would like to have, let me tell you, either your faith is a nonentity, or, at best, it is just an embryo. It is a weak faith that must have stilts and crutches to support it.

Discontent is not only below faith, but it is also below reason. Discontent is unworthy of the relationship we have with God. Christians are invested with the title and privilege of sonship; we are heirs of the promise. God will be sure to reward the contented Christian.

List of Chapters
Ch. 1: The Scholar
Ch. 2: The Lesson
Ch. 3: The Character of Contentment
Ch. 4: Why Should We Be Content?
Ch. 5: The Usefulness of Contentment
Ch. 6: How Is It Possible to Be Content?
Ch. 7: Motivations to Contentment
Ch. 8: Discontent
Ch. 9: More Motivation
Ch. 10: Cautions
Ch. 11: Characteristics of Contentment
Ch. 12: Rules for Contentment
Ch. 13: The Contented Christian’s Comfort

About the Author
Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686) was a prominent English Nonconformist Puritan pastor and author, known for his notable works like The Godly Man’s Picture, The Ten Commandments, and The Body of Divinity. Having earned his degrees from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he served at St. Stephen Walbrook Church in London for 16 years before being imprisoned in 1651 for his role in a plot to restore Charles II. Upon his release, he continued preaching, both privately and publicly after the passing of the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672, which allowed him to obtain a preaching license at Crosby Hall in London. Watson, who carried Christ in his heart and lived as a committed Christian, retired to Barnston in Essex due to declining health, passing away in 1686.

©2023 Aneko Press (P)2023 Aneko Press

This book divulges the key to life

I am so grateful that I read this book and I pray that it will do in me what it set out to do almost 400 years ago. I found this book more helpful than Jeremiah Burroughs book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. It was much more accessible and the language less flowery. Watson‘s practical examples amazed me and how they were still poignant and relatable in 2025. I was rebuked, course corrected, and comforted by this book. I plan to come back to it many times.