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What the Bible Says About Contentment

Overview

The Bible addresses contentment across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ecclesiastes, 2 Samuel and 1 Timothy. Closely related themes include Barzillai, Old Age, Covetousness and Minister (1).

Key Bible verses about contentment

Old Testament

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 19:33

And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 19:34

And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? How: Heb. How many days are the years of my life

2 Samuel 19:35

I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

2 Samuel 19:36

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

2 Samuel 19:37

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 3:12

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:7

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. appetite: Heb. soul

Ecclesiastes 6:8

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. than: Heb. than the walking of the soul

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Live: Heb. See, or, Enjoy life

In the Bible dictionary

Studying contentment for yourself

  • Begin with 2 Samuel 19:33, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Ecclesiastes, 2 Samuel and 1 Timothy each treat the theme.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Barzillai, Old Age, Covetousness and Minister (1).

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about contentment?

The Bible addresses contentment across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ecclesiastes, 2 Samuel and 1 Timothy. Closely related themes include Barzillai, Old Age, Covetousness and Minister (1).

How many Bible verses are about contentment?

The Bible references contentment in 20 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention contentment?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 19:33: “And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.”

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