Divine Contentment for a Divine Calling: How Thomas Watson Can Help the Sent and their Senders with Contentment
Have you ever been afflicted in every way? Paul was (2 Corinthians 4:8). He was shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, left for dead—just think of 2 Corinthians 11. Missionaries could say that 2 Corinthians 4:8 is true of their life too. David Brainerd aimed to be faithful in ministry while battling bouts of depression and was removed from the mission field and ultimately from this life because of his battle with tuberculosis. William Carey’s, wife, Dorothy, upon their arrival to Calcutta contracted chronic dysentery; as did their son, whom they lost. Soon afterwards, Dorothy seemed to struggle significantly with mental illness, and it’s believed that Carey translated the first version of the Bengali Bible while also caring for his wife. Henry Martyn, inspired by David Brainerd, was separated from the girl that he desired to marry and died on the mission field due to health complications. More recently, a friend of mine suffered injury to his arms after years of rigorous and repetitive translation work on the computer. Another missionary family that I know, got sent out, only to return home after an unexpectedly short time on the field due to unforeseen health complications. Despite these challenges, Paul and other faithful Christians, especially those on the mission field, have learned to be content no matter their circumstances (Philippians 4:11).
Thomas Watson, the one of the most quotable Puritan divines, wrote The Art of Divine Contentment (1653). It’s a classic meditation on Philippians 4:11, from which he aims to squeeze out every ounce of application that he can. He never served as a missionary himself and wasn’t writing specifically to missionaries in The Art of Divine Contentment, but missionaries as well as all other Christians, have much to learn from his book.
Watson faced significant persecution after the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662, when he was ejected from his pastorate at Saint Stephens. Afterwards, for some time, he pastored on the run, preaching and teaching in secret until he ministered at Crosby Hall, where Stephen Charnock eventually pastored alongside him. Watson’s works are a gold mine for any believer. They are a treasure chest of help for those sent to the mission field and their senders. With the aid of Watson, I aim to show how contentment adorns and buoys the sent, and sending churches should ensure that their missionaries are adorned and buoyed by contentment. Watson’s exposition on contentment can be summarized in these five points.
Contentment can be Learned
Contentment can be learned no matter the providence (Philippians 4:11). This is not a natural thing; it is entirely a spiritual endeavor. To learn contentment is to gain godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). By the Spirit, God teaches His people to learn contentment in any and every providence, good and bad.
Arguments against Discontentment
Watson gives 12 apologies (reasons) why a Christian may think it reasonable to be discontent and unknots them all. This includes loss of child or estate, seeing the wicked prosper, and one’s own sins, amongst many others. Discontentment is deceptive. It attempts to spring upon Christians during times of great struggle or significant loss. Satan tempted Job by taking away his children, his estate, and his health but in all this, Job did not sin (Job 1-2). And though God may take away the things He entrusts to His followers, He will never take away the good portion that they have in Him (Psalm 16:5-6; Luke 10:42). This good portion sustains believers as they suffer from a rebellious child or spouse, or through mistreatment from unfaithful friends. God often works good through rebellion, and Christ is the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Even in the face of shame and reproach, Christ Jesus Himself contentedly took on the shame of the cross (Hebrews 12:2). The church's suffering is no reason to be discontented, since we should account ourselves worthy to suffer dishonor for His name (Acts 5:40-41). Even though the Church faces the challenges of heresy, it has often refined its articulation of doctrine.
Arguments for Contentment
Contentment is excellent. While a believer ventures in or through stormy territory, there can be peace and communion with God that isn’t dependent on external circumstances. They have victory over themselves, that is, they are sober-minded and self-controlled even in the face of great suffering. They are content with their gifts and abilities and are thankful for who they are and what they have instead of being envious. This is possible because Christians have been given the one thing needed for contentment: Christ. In Christ, there is an immeasurable amount of riches since He is boundlessly good, and works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). This is God’s will, and to be discontent with God’s will is a great evil that is out of line with Christian prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). To be content then, is to glorify God, while to be discontent is a great evil that is the devil’s delight. Life is short, so store up treasures on earth by being content. Discontent can be a snare that causes one to waste their life.
The Disease of Discontentment
Discontentment is called what it is: a disease, a cancer to the soul. It causes Christians to lose heart and be troubled, it leads to all sorts of sinning. It is unworthy of a Christian, those who walk by faith, and not by sight. A heart ruled by discontentment will bubble over in pride.
One Valid Cause for Discontentment
The only valid reason a Christian should be discontent is over their own discontentment. This is so that a Christian might run from discontentment, and to contentment. That they might again taste and see that they already have all that they need in Christ Jesus.
For the Sent
Those sent to the nations must learn contentment through many dangers, toils, and snares. It’s an education of sorts that adorns their gospel proclamation. Watson says, “contentment is that which beautifies and bespangles a Christian, and, as spiritual embroidery, sets him off in the eyes of the world.” Missionaries desire to be set off in the eyes of the world, so that they may tell some about how they may be saved from this world. Contentment catches the eye of the lost, as it is a glimpse of heavenly glory on earth. It is like a diamond that sparkles in the light. Contentment adorns the gospel.
Not only does contentment adorn, but it also steadies and sobers. Watson likens contentment to a sturdy cedar, saying, “in regard to his courage and faith, Paul was like a cedar: he could not be stirred. But as for his outward condition, he was like a reed, bending every way with the wind of Providence.” Missionaries, like Paul, will likely be bent every way by the wind of providence, so they must learn contentment.. It’s a Christian’s life jacket. Contentment keeps Christians afloat when everything seems to be falling apart or not going to plan. Learning contentment keeps their mind alert to what is true, good, and beautiful even when evil seems to stifle their missionary endeavors. It reminds them that they are pilgrims in this world, and that their time here is short. Those who learn contentment rely on heavenly mindedness and gain sober mindedness. It causes believers to be like a cruise liner. Those who lack it are like an overwhelmed and easily sinkable dinghy, while cruise liners are steady and unaffected by the waves that easily toss dinghies to and fro on the seas. They need to learn to cement their joy upon Christ, not outward circumstances. They do this by laboring towards heaven and asking the Lord to teach them contentment when faced with a surprising providence.
For Senders
If contentment can be learned, it should be learned before a missionary is sent out. To learn contentment is to have a spirit-filled immune system that guards against the cancer of discontentment. Watson says, “Discontent is to the soul as a disease is to the body: it puts it out of temper and greatly hinders its regular and sublime motions heavenward.” Giving in to discontentment can severely hinder any work that takes place on the field. This is why; churches should send their best. Chad Vegas recently said on an episode of Ask Missionary, “If this person is not a loss for your church, then they are not a gain to the world.” Is that true of the church members that you or your church intends to send? Aspiring missionaries should exemplify that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Their gospel proclamation ought to be adorned with this godly virtue that will buoy them in the face of discontent. Senders should teach aspiring missionaries that missions isn’t just a calling, but that it has qualifications. It requires that they be masters of learning contentment. It means that they must have victory over themselves. Watson says, “To be discontented is suitable to flesh and blood, but to be in every state content? To be reproached, yet content? Imprisoned, yet content? This is above nature. This is some of that holy valor and chivalry which only a divine Spirit is able to infuse.” Those that churches send should be evident masters of Philippians 4:11, so that the church trusts that by the Spirit they’ll learn contentment no matter the circumstance they face on the field. Before they are sent, they can prepare by growing familiar with their heart, and what circumstances would likely cause them to be discontent. Help them see that the only valid thing a Christian should be discontent over is their own discontentment. As Watson says, “And thus I hope I have answered the most material objections and apologies which this sin of discontent makes for itself. I see no reason why a Christian should be discontented, unless it is for his discontent.” Senders can help the sent by preparing them to be familiar with what excuses their hearts might make. This will help them learn contentment no matter the danger, toil, or snare, which will adorn and buoy them.
Conclusion
Remember the missionaries that I mentioned at the beginning? Henry Martyn said this: “Let me burn out for God. After all, whatever God may appoint, prayer is the great thing. Oh, that I might be a man of prayer!” There’s no burning out for God without contentment. There’s no satisfaction with whatever he may appoint without contentment. William Carey famously said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” You can’t attempt great things for God if you aren’t content in Him. You can’t say along with Brainerd, “I long to be like Him. Let me forget the world and be swallowed up in desire to glorify God,” if you are not satisfied in Christ alone. To learn contentment is to cast your anchor upon Christ, in heaven. It’s to get an unsinkable heart. If you are an aspiring missionary, learn contentment and get this unsinkable heart. If you are involved in sending, make sure your church sends those who are adorned and buoyed by the crowning jewel of contentment!