Editorial October 23, 1971 Issue

". . . to be content"

Carl J. Welz

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."^{Phil. 4:11;} These words of St. Paul's have been used by tyrants to justify their dominating others as well as by gentle Christians to encourage those who may be having a hard time. Christian Science helps us to be content wherever we are, but this contentment does not mean resignation to states of living that amount to imprisonment, torture, or virtual annihilation.

Consider the many predicaments Paul found himself in during his lifetime, and how through prayer he always mastered them. Can we assume that his words about contentment mean that we should be satisfied with anything less than an active, progressive life—a life that utilizes our talents to the full?

Paul's doings, as well as his writings, tell us that his brand of contentment always took accurate account of the state he was in. And he always found his assets far greater than his liabilities. Whether he was in jail bound with chains, or scourged, or shipwrecked, or bitten by a snake, the fact of God's presence and of Paul's sonship with God was the largest part of "whatsoever state" he was in. If anything else appeared to be the case, it was merely an opportunity to prove who and what he was.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Help Without Direct Treatment