Contentment

Contentment is described by Paul as something he had learned (Philippians 4:11). This page lists verses on being content, warnings against coveting, having little, and Jesus' teaching on worry and provision.

Being content

• Philippians 4:11-13
  ¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹²I 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. ¹³I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
  Show context · Read Philippians 4 →
• 1 Timothy 6:6-8
  ⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 6 →
• Hebrews 13:5
  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 13 →
• Proverbs 30:8-9
  ⁸Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: ⁹Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 30 →

Warnings against coveting

• Exodus 20:17
  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
  Show context · Read Exodus 20 →
• Luke 12:15
  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
  Show context · Read Luke 12 →
• 1 Timothy 6:9-10
  ⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 6 →
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  Show context · Read Ecclesiastes 5 →

Better is a little

• Proverbs 15:16-17
  ¹⁶Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. ¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 15 →
• Proverbs 16:8
  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 16 →
• Psalm 37:16
  A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
  Show context · Read Psalm 37 →
• Ecclesiastes 4:6
  Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
  Show context · Read Ecclesiastes 4 →

Jesus on worry and provision

• Matthew 6:25-26
  ²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  Show context · Read Matthew 6 →
• Matthew 6:33
  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  Show context · Read Matthew 6 →

See also

• Money
• Thankfulness
• Jealousy

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.