Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory (Puritan Treasures for Today)

A part of the Westminster Assembly and highly esteemed by his peers,Burroughs most influential book 'The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment' remains 'The Classic' work on this important Christian doctrine.This book was originally prepared as an appendix to 'The Rare Jewel...' .However it deals with the latter half of Philippians 4:12 'I know how to abound'.The author believed that this was a more difficult state to deal with(due to temptations that one faces and increased responsibilities as well).Burroughs contends that one who is prosperous does not need to pray less or even equally as much as those who are in an afflicted condition, but they must pray more.That is why the Bible clearly states the great difficulty for those who are rich to be saved,heavenly minded,trusting the Lord with all their heart-'it is easier for a camel to go though the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved'. There are relatively few who can withstand the temptation to depart from God,or live independent of Him(riches and abundance provide much fuel for these things).Mr.Burroughs gives us some rationale as to why it is so difficult to be both rich in this worlds goods and rich in God-p.43 "Not many rich,not many mighty,not many great ones.Why?Because they have so many material goods to feed their lusts that their lusts grow to strong,these lusts become so strong that they resist the Word...".The apostle Paul had learned to be content in whatever state he was in-p.5"when Paul says 'I know ...how to be abased' he means that he has learned to submit to suffering in a humble manner". Suffering without purpose or understanding is unbearable but to understand God's purpose in ordaining the suffering(to accomplish His will)makes one willing to suffer and endure anything for Christ's sake and the glory of God.The apostle Paul's life gives us an extraordinary example in this regard.The one who had inflicted much pain and caused much suffering for God's people before his conversion,would then go on to suffer much to help establish the Church and greatly advance the cause of Christ in his generation.In chapter two the author gives us the proper perspective that a godly individual should have, toward God relative to created things-p.27 "It is not the created things themselves that satisfy such a man,but God in them.Created things are simply the channel that lets God into their hearts." This is simply to love 'the giver of the things' more than the things which have been given.I'm convinced that many will not see the need of instruction as to how to avoid the pitfalls that can come with a prosperous state(though they are easily convinced of their need to look to God in times of great want or affliction).Jeremiah Burroughs reasoning is Biblically sound and very persuasive and will prove a great preservative,to those who are rich in this world's goods,if they are willing to heed his counsel.

It's a Christian challenge to mange wealth. Everyone wants to be rich, but few can actually use their wealth for God's glory. Excellent book. Would buy it for a gift.

Deep read

''A Christian should be satisfied with what God has made the object of his faith (i.e., Christ). 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.'' -from the bookI was very excited to receive this book since not only do I trust the books which the publisher, Reformation Heritage Books offers, I highly regard writings and wisdom of the puritans! This could easily be the best book I've yet received in my reviewing hobby.Originally prepared as an appendix to the Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, this book provides an important conclusion to Burrough's sermon series on Philippians 4:11-12(11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.)Jeremiah Burroughs described contentment as possessing that ''sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit'' that freely submitted to and delighted in ''God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.'I couldn't put this book down; it is full of treasures about how to ''be abased and abound''....'A man has learned how to be full when he can use the gifts of God and yet remain ready to part with all his comforts if God calls for them.''If those who are full do not learn how to be full, they will be guiltier of abusing the gifts of God than other men.''A man who has learned to abound is aware and sensible of his dependence on God in the height of his prosperity as he is in the depth of his adversity.'.... I eventually had to stop jotting down sentences and paragraphs which struck me because there were too many! Needless to say, I recommend this book to everyone...even those who can't imagine what it feels like to be discontented...!Contrary to popular opinion, these writings are also suitable and even easy for younger readers to understand as well...I will certainly be passing this book on to my many siblings above age 10!We can all learn from the truths in books like these.All I can do is highly recommend this book, and close with yet more quotes from the early chapters of this little (perfect purse or travel size!) book!!!'We cannot learn to be full unless we understand the mercies God has granted to us.''A man learns how to be full when he can discern the best use of what he has-that is, when he can tell how best to distribute the fullness God gives him.''...it is not enough for us to say that our estates are our own, and therefore we may be excessive in our use of our possessions.'good wisdom here!'A man learns how to be full when he can use the comforts he has received but does so in a way that avoids the evil of the temptations that go along with them.''It is wrong to say ''Because I must avoid the temptation, I must not enjoy the comfort of the blessing.''The strength of the Christian is to make use of whatever God allows, to take the sweetness from it, and yet to avoid the temptation.'Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

That seems like an easy question. Of course I am satisfied and content when I get all the physical and spiritual riches that I desire. However, the honest answer may not always be so straightforward. As a companion book to his Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Jeremiah Burroughs wrote this book specifically for the people that have been blessed with great prosperity.Having prosperity in a particular area leads to unique temptations. Proverbs speaks in particular of the rich man having many friends that the poor man does not have. With these “friends” come the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil to use your prosperity for your own selfish means and not for the cause of Christ. If we do not learn to control and conquer these temptations, they will lead us into sin.As Burroughs discusses in detail in this book, how can we be sure of our salvation if we have never learned to be satisfied when we are full? If we are not satisfied in our prosperity, how can we be certain that we know Christ of Whom He alone should give us satisfaction in life? This book is rooted firmly in Scripture, in particular Philippians 4:11-12, and I highly recommend it to be read of all people that may put their trust in the uncertain riches that fade away.