But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank; and Moses was angry with them. Exodus 16:20
“Concerning manna, ‘When the people were contented with the allowance that God allowed them, then it was very good, but when they would not be content with God’s allowance, but would gather more than God would have them, then, says the text, there were worms in it.’ So when we are content with our conditions, and what God disposes of us to be in, there is a blessing in it, then it is sweet to us, but if we must needs have more, and keep it longer than God would have us to have it, then there will be worms in it and it will be no good at all.”
Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 97.
When we are not content with our conditions, it breeds worms. When we are content with our conditions, our response is worship to the God who provides everything like manna.
I did not realize the power of contentment until my study this week. It can shape the trajectory of our lives and future. And without it, there’s no generosity.
God cares not what we give but what we hold back and what it says about our discontented hearts. Containers hold back. Conduits let everything flow.
Without contentment, we don’t serve as conduits but as containers. Notice the outcome. It’s tragic! we ruin the provision in the containers because it turns to worms.
But content conduits let the provision flow and this posture is our act of worship to the God who supplies everything for us to enjoy and share.