Bible Verses About Contentment

Contentment is learned, not inherited. These verses about contentment teach the secret of being satisfied in every circumstance.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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.” — Philippians 4:11-12 (KJV)

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content — learned is the operative word. He then lists both hunger and abundance as things requiring the lesson.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” — 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (KJV)

Godliness with contentment is great gain, having food and raiment let us be therewith content. The threshold named is deliberately low.

“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” — Proverbs 15:16 (KJV)

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. The proverb prices peace above the balance.

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” — Ecclesiastes 5:10 (KJV)

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver — the diagnosis is that appetite grows with supply. It is stated as a rule rather than a risk.

“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest 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.” — Proverbs 30:8-9 (KJV)

Give me neither poverty nor riches — a request for the middle, with reasons given for fearing both ends. It is the only prayer of its kind in Scripture.

“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.” — Luke 12:15 (KJV)

A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth, said to someone asking Jesus to settle an inheritance. The question is answered by refusing it.

“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” — Psalm 37:16 (KJV)

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. The comparison is quantitative on one side and moral on the other.

“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.” — Exodus 20:17 (KJV)

Thou shalt not covet — the only commandment that legislates a desire rather than an act. It closes the list by moving inside.

“Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” — Psalm 131:2 (KJV)

I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother. A weaned child is with its mother without demanding anything, which is the image.

“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.” — Ecclesiastes 4:6 (KJV)

Better is an handful with quietness than both the hands full with travail. The arithmetic favours less, once the cost is counted.

“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” — Proverbs 17:1 (KJV)

Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Feast conditions are set against household peace.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. First is an ordering instruction rather than a promise of abundance.

“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.” — Ecclesiastes 6:9 (KJV)

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. Present possession is rated above imagined alternatives.

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” — Proverbs 16:8 (KJV)

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. The book keeps returning to this comparison in different words.

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” — Psalm 16:5 (KJV)

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. Portion and lot are allotment words from dividing land.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” — 1 Timothy 6:17 (KJV)

Charge them that are rich that they be not highminded nor trust in uncertain riches. Contentment is prescribed to the wealthy as well as to the poor.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about contentment?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on contentment: Philippians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Proverbs 15:16, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Proverbs 30:8-9, Luke 12:15, Psalm 37:16, Exodus 20:17, Psalm 131:2, Ecclesiastes 4:6, Proverbs 17:1, Matthew 6:33, Ecclesiastes…

What is a good Bible verse about contentment?

Philippians 4:11-12 is the passage most often quoted on contentment, with 1 Timothy 6:6-8 and Proverbs 15:16 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these contentment verses?

You can read all of these verses about contentment — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.