~In the Bible, I think we can see two forms of contentedness:

1. Either/Or Contentedness:

“Stay tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good…” (Ruth 3:13a).

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11-13).

~ Boaz is contented. He wants to marry Ruth but still says that if the kinsman-redeemer wants to redeem Ruth, then good (טוֹב֙). If not then He will redeem her. It can go either way for him and he is contented either way.

~ The apostle Pauls says something similar. He could either be in need or have plenty or he could be well fed or even hungry, yet still he would be contented.

2. One-Sided Contentedness:

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16).

~ In the above, the apostle Paul says that if he has a choice between preaching the Gospel and not, then he can ONLY preach the Gospel.

His options are Gospel preaching and Gospel preaching only. Woe is not an option.

“Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” ~ Martin Luther

~ When Luther was asked to recant his writings and teachings, he refused to do so because for him there was only one way things could be and hence one way that he could be.

Both the apostle Paul and Luther could arrive at contentedness in one particular way and only in that particular way.