The art of contentment

Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. (verses 6-9)

Read 1 Timothy 6:1-10

There is a fourth-century story about one of the Desert Fathers of Egypt who, on returning to his cave one day, was brushed aside by a thief who dashed out with the old man’s stool under his arm. The old man immediately grabbed his walking stick and shouted after him, ‘Wait! Come back! Since you are in such need, here is a stout stick you may also have!’

The Desert Fathers delighted in the art of contentment. Their aim was to live simply and to serve God and their fellow human beings. In this they sought to follow the example of Jesus, who had said, ‘ No one can be the slave of two masters . . . you cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24).

Leslie Brandt writes, ‘I am fully aware of the high cost of living. I am not nearly so aware of the high cost of loving.’ God knows that high cost. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to redeem humankind by dying on Calvary.

Dear Lord, thank you for Paul’s words to Timothy which remind me of the dangers of ignoring what is essential to life, namely, to love you and to love my neighbour as myself. Take away my desire for material gain, and fill me with your Spirit of love. Amen.

by Margaret Hunt, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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