'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — June 6

Let us be content with the portion God has given us of earthly things. God stands upon his sovereignty, and we must be content with God's allowance, though he gives others more. The good man pleaded: ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?…Do you begrudge my generosity’ (Matt. 20:13-15)? If others have a better income and are more amply provided for, God is sovereign, and will give according to his pleasure. Nothing is deserved and therefore everything should be kindly taken with contentment. If a man is provided for by another's expense, we take it very ill if he murmurs and dislikes his diet. Certainly we are all maintained at free cost and should be content with what is put in our hands. God in wisdom knows what proportion is best for us. The shepherd and not the sheep chooses the pasture. Leave it to God to give what is suitable to your condition of life. God gives a portion as you are able to bear. Contentment itself is a gift of God and great blessing. When our minds are suited to our condition, our earthly blessings are sweeter and more comfortable. Our happiness does not lie in abundance, but in contentment (Luke 12:15). All spiritual miseries may be attributed to either a war between a man and his conscience, or a war between his affections and his condition. There may be just as much love in a lesser portion as in a greater. There is the same affection to a younger child, though he does not have as large an allowance as his elder brother. The father loves him just as well. So a child of God may say, 'God loves me, though he has given another more than me.' Be content with what falls to your share in the gracious providence of God.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Manton, Works, I:164-165
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