John the Baptizer once told some soldiers who wanted to know what acts were in keeping with repentance, “do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14). Another pillar of virtue is contentment. This is best described as being constructed of satisfaction with thanksgiving, for contentment is “the inner satisfaction with the situation that God has ordained” (Ryrie Study Bible). And, the virtuous contentment is always accompanied by an attitude of gratitude. Another component of this pillar is carefulness. The one who exercises the virtue of contentment will be gentle with those around him/her. He/She will be sensible with what they have so that it lasts longer and does more good for more people. One of contentment’s enemies is envy. Envy is blight to gratitude; a disease that ravages its flower and leaves no seed for next year’s planting. Envy drives the soul outside of freedom where there is only “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” A grateful people enjoy freedom’s provisions; the envious cannot find the banquet. Think about it.