Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
The early Christian quotes (Origen on living “in plainness,” Clement on luxury/gluttony as what “the nations seek,” Cyprian saying nothing is lacking to the one who “possesses God”) connect “seek first the kingdom” to resisting luxury and redefining wealth; what parts of your diet, clothing, home, entertainment, or “treat yourself” habits would early Christians likely call “rich cooking, dainty feeding, and gluttony,” and how does that critique collide with modern evangelical ideas of freedom, blessing, and assurance?
Another way to ask: What parts of your lifestyle (food, clothes, home, entertainment, “treat yourself” habits) might early Christians call luxury or overindulgence? How does that clash with today’s ideas about Christian freedom, blessing, and assurance?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests early Christians would challenge many modern “normal” comforts as luxury—especially spending heavily on food and clothing—and would call believers back to “plainness” and trust in God’s providence. That critique collides with any view of “blessing” that assumes God’s favor is shown mainly through increased comfort or consumption.
- Origen is cited approvingly: take Jesus’ words in their “simple and obvious sense… not… anxieties about… food and clothing… living in plainness… only what is needful.”
- Clement (A????andria) links “the nations seek” to “Luxury… rich cooking, dainty feeding, and gluttony,” contrasting it with “bare sustenance.”
- The speaker comments: “They relate these verses… about living a very luxurious life… we shouldn’t spend a lot of money on food and clothing.”
- Cyprian’s logic is quoted: “nothing will be wanting to him who possesses God… we really don’t need to worry.”
- He reinforces identity over career/consumption: “Christianity should be our career… our identity shouldn’t be in these jobs.”