Re: The Early Christians: Self-Portraits and Portrayals

Bruderhof wrote:

> Must it not be entirely wrong to accept as good one part of what God has

> created for men’s use, but to reject another part as useless and 
> superfluous?     
> 
> Letter to Diognetus 4.


That we for the most part must be considered poor is no disgrace to us but

an honor. A life of luxury weakens the spirit. Frugality makes it strong. 
And yet, how can anyone be considered poor who does not feel any want, who

does not covet what belongs to others, who is rich in God’s eyes? Much
more 
should he be considered poor who always craves for more while he already 
has much.

Let me tell you what I think. No one can be as poor as he was at birth.
The 
birds live without any inheritance, and cattle find their fodder each day.

Yet these creatures are on the earth for our sake. We possess all of them 
if we do not covet them. Just as a man traveling on the road is the better

off the lighter his bundle, so too, he who makes himself light by poverty,

who does not need to pant under the burden of wealth, is happiest on his 
journey through life. If we regarded wealth as useful we would ask God for

it. He surely could give us a share of it, for everything belongs to him, 
but we would rather despise wealth than have it in our hands.	

Minucius Felix, Octavius 36.3-7.