Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 7

Luxury, enslaved to pleasures, becomes a grievous shipwreck for people; for this sweet and untroubled life of the many is alien to true love of beauty and to noble pleasures. By nature the human being is a lofty and proud creature, a seeker of the good, because he is the sole creation of the Good One; but the life that centers on the belly is shameful, blameworthy, disgusting, and laughable. Moreover, love of pleasure is most alien to the divine nature: it feeds like sparrows and couples like swine and goats; for to consider pleasure a good is perfect lack of beauty, and love of wealth drives a person away from right conduct, persuading him to rush toward shameful things, saying, 'as long as one has the power, like a beast, to eat all kinds of food and drink likewise and to supply every sort of sexual gratification to the full' (cf. Wis 2:6–9). Because of this, one inherits the kingdom of God most rarely. Where, then, are so many dishes prepared, or to fill a single belly? Dung heaps testify to the uncleanness of gluttony, into which our bellies spew the leftovers of our feasting. Where do they gather so many cupbearers, when one cup can be filled? Where are the chests of clothing? Where are the gold and the ornaments? They are prepared for thieves and evildoers and for covetous eyes. 'But let alms and faithfulness not fail you,' says the Scripture (Sir 29:12). Behold, we also have the Thesbite Elijah as a beautiful example of frugality, when 'he sat under the broom tree' and the angel brought him food; 'it was a cake of barley and a cruse of water' (1 Kgs 19:4–6). The Lord sent him such a meal. Therefore it is necessary for us, traveling toward truth, to be well-girt with necessities; 'for the Lord said, Do not carry a purse, no bag, no sandals' (Lk 10:4; Mt 10:9–10) — that is, do not acquire wealth stored in a purse, do not fill your own storehouses as if in a bag, but share with those in need; do not busy yourselves with yokes and slaves, who are allegorically called the sandals of the rich. We must therefore reject the multitude of possessions, silver and gold vessels, and the throng of servants; having received simplicity and frugality from the Pedagogue, we must walk in harmony with the Word, even if a wife and children are present; for a household is no burden to a traveler who has learned to be self-controlled. The husband-loving wife also must be sent forth similarly, bearing simplicity and self-control in one dignity as a good provision for the journey to heaven; and the measure of each one's possession is like the foot to the sandal, but what is superfluous — what they call ornaments — and the furnishings of the rich are a burden, not an adornment of the body. But the one who forces his way up to heaven must carry a good staff, which is beneficence, and, having shared with the afflicted, receive true rest; for the Scripture confesses that 'the ransom of a man's soul is his own wealth' (Prov 13:8), that is, if he is rich, he will be saved by sharing. Just as springs that naturally well up, when drawn upon, again fill the ancient measure, so also the good sharing of philanthropy, being a source, increases and is filled again as it shares with those who thirst for drink, in the way that milk is accustomed to flow into the breasts of those who are nursing or even weaned. For the one who possesses the Word of the Almighty God lacks nothing and never is in need of anything; for the Word is a possession that lacks nothing and is the cause of all wealth. But if someone says he has often seen a righteous man in need of bread, this is rare, and where there is no other righteous man, let him nevertheless consider this: 'for the righteous shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord' (Dt 8:3; Mt 4:4; Lk 4:4), which is the true bread, the bread of heaven. Therefore the good man is never at a loss, as long as he keeps his confession toward God sound; for he is able to ask and receive whatever he needs from the Father of all, and to enjoy his own possessions, if he keeps the Son; and he is also able not to feel any lack. This Pedagogue, our Word, gives us wealth, and to be rich is not envied by those who possess the all-sufficient through Him; the one who has this wealth will inherit the kingdom of God.