John Calvin on Contentment

The Friday feature of the Worldly Saints blog is all about quotes. No commentary from me, no reflection, etc. Just a provocative or informative quote from a saint in church history.

“Why is it that men fret so when God sends them things entirely contrary to their desires except that they do know acknowledge that God does everything by reason and that He has just cause? … As soon as God does not send what we have desired, we dispute against Him, we bring suit, not that we appear to do this, but our manner shows that this is nevertheless our intent. … But from what spirit is this pronounced? From a poisoned heart; as if we said, “The thing should have been otherwise, I see no reason for this.” Meanwhile God will be condemned among us. This is how men exasperate themselves. And in this what do they do? It is as if they accused God of being a tyrant or a hairbrain who asked only to put everything in confusion. Such horrible blasphemy blows out of the mouths of men.”

– John Calvin in Sermons from Job