Book Review: Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs

I received a copy of this title free of charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Jeremiah Burroughs was a preacher in his time period (1599 1646). This book was taken from his sermons on the topic of Contentment in Prosperity. He, chapter by chapter, takes you through assessing your own heart as you live in a time or season of prosperity. He takes you through focusing primarily on Paul's words from Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."

It is Burroughs argument that in times of need we are more likely to be drawn to God because we have been brought so low. It is God that we have to turn to not other things. Yet in times of prosperity we must also let it draw us to God in thankfulness.  For our hearts are so bent to lean toward missing God because we see that we ourselves have brought this time of prosperity by our hard work or other various things. It is a true test indeed when ones heart is full to see if it still looks to God for its source of all things.

This book is shorter than many but packed with much insight on this topic. I found myself being convicted several times of how I steward all of what God has given to me. One of these quotes that really resonated with me was this, "Surely God did not aim at this, that I should have more satisfaction for my flesh. There is something else that God was aiming at; let me learn to know God's end." Always in all things we need to focus on God and His end. That is in all situations.

I liked this book. I do recommend it for anyone living in America or other country where we are considered rich. It will indeed help your heart work through what to do with all of this prosperity. I love reading old sermons from preachers of the past. Sometimes I think that they just "get it" more than many today. It is amazing too that this would still apply to believers today. 

To get a copy of this book from Amazon go here.