CONTENTMENT

~Greener Pastures

 Sometime ago there appeared in a newspaper a cartoon showing two fields divided by a fence. Both fields were about the same size and each had plenty of the same kind of grass, green and lush.

 In each field there was a mule, and each mule had his head through the fence eating grass from the other mule’s pasture. All around each mule in his own field was plenty of grass, yet the grass in the other field seemed greener or fresher, although it was harder to get.

 And in the process the mules were caught in the wires and were unable to extricate themselves. The cartoonist put just one word at the bottom of the picture—”DISCONTENT”!

—Earl C. Willer

~ Getty’s Changing Philosophy

 J. Paul Getty, one of the richest men in the world, was asked what single thing he would change if he had the power, he replied: “I’d change philosophy. People should be more content. The way to cure discontent is not necessarily to get more. … The old cliche about money not buying happiness is certainly true.”

—Washington Star

~“Why Didn’t I Say Ten Pounds?”

 Coming downstairs one morning, Lord Congelton heard the cook exclaim, “Oh, if I only had five pounds, wouldn’t I be content!” Thinking the matter over, and anxious to see the woman satisfied, he shortly after handed her a five-pound note, then worth about twenty-five dollars. She thanked him profusely. He paused outside the door to hear if she would express her satisfaction and thank God. As soon as his shadow was invisible, she cried out, “Why didn’t I say ten?”

—Prairie Overcomer

~Quaker’s Test?

 We’ve heard of an old Quaker who advertised that he would give 40 acres of rich farm land to anyone who was perfectly satisfied with that which he had. One seeker came to see the Quaker.

 “Are thee perfectly satisfied with what thee hast?”

 “Yes,” answered the hopeful guest.

 “Then why dost thee want this land?” was the old Quaker’s significant reply.

—Gospel Herald

~ A Contented Man’s Shirt

 There is a story told of a king who was suffering from a painful ailment, whose astrologer told him that the only cure for him was to find a contented man, get his shirt, and wear it night and day. So messengers were sent through the king’s realm in search of such a man, with orders to bring back his shirt.

 Months passed, and after a thorough search of the country the messengers returned, but without the shirt.

 “Did you find a contented man in all my realm?” the king asked.

 “Yes, O king, we found one, just one in all thy realm,” they replied.

 “Then why did you not bring back his shirt?” the king demanded.

 “Master, the man had no shirt,” was the answer.

—Evangelistic Illustration

~Correct Use Of The Eyes

 A bishop of the early church, who was a remarkable example of the virtue of contentment, was asked his secret. The venerable old man replied: “It consists in nothing more than making a right use of my eyes. In whatever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven and remember that my principal business here is to get there.

 Then I look down upon the earth, and call to mind how small a place I shall occupy in it when I die and am buried. I then look around in the world, and observe what multitudes there are who are in many respects more unhappy than myself. Thus I learn where true happiness is placed, where all our cares must end, and what little reason I have to complain.”

—Foster

~Pyrrhus’ Final Goal

 Cineas, when dissuading Pyrrhus from undertaking a war against the Romans, said, “Sir, when you have conquered them, what will you do next?”

 “Sicily is near at hand and easy to master,” replied Pyrrhus.

 “And what when you have conquered Sicily?” “Then we will pass on to Africa and take Carthage.”

 “When these are conquered, what will be your next attempt?” asked Cineas.

 “Then,” said Pyrrhus, “we will fall upon Greece and Macedon and recover what we have lost there.”

 “Well, when all are subdued, what fruit do you expect from all your victories?”

 “Then,” said Pyrrhus, “we will sit down and enjoy ourselves.”

 “Sir!” said Cineas, “may we not do it now?”

—A. Naismith

~Contented Cow’s Legal Right

 You have all seen that advertisement, implying that the milk from a cow that is contented is superior to milk from other cows. There might be something to it.

 Several years ago a judge in England ruled that a cow had a legal right to stand and stare on the highway. A motorist had tried to sue a farmer whose cow stood in the road and caused damage to his automobile. He had blown his horn, but the animal would not move.

 In defense the farmer maintained that he had no control over the movements of the cow. He also pointed out what most of us have observed: cows do not like to hurry, and they like to stand and stare. Of course, the contentment of the cow is merely a physical matter. With enough to eat and no one to bother it physically, the cow is content.

—Arthur Tonne

~In a cemetery in England stands a grave marker with this inscription: SHE DIED FOR WANT OF THINGS. Alongside that sign is another which reads: HE DIED TRYING TO GIVE THEM TO HER.

—Our Daily Bread

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