Early Christian Views on Luxury and Simplicity

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...d, I do not fully understand about the time of deceit, luxury, and torture. Explain it to me more clearly. He answered and said to me, “Your foolishness continues, and you do not want to purify your heart and serve God. Be careful,” he added, “so that the time is not completed and you are found foolish. Now listen,” he added, “as you wish, so that you may understand these things. “A person who lives in luxury and is deceived for one day, and who does whatever he wants, is clothed with great foolishness and does not understand what he is doing until the next day. For he forgets what he did the day before. For luxury and deceit have no memory, because of the foolishness with which they are clothed. But when punishment and torture cling to a man for one day, he is punished and tortured for a year, because punishment and torture have strong memories. Therefore, while he is tortured and punished for a whole year, he finally remembers his luxury and deceit, and knows that he suffers evil because of them. Therefore, every person who lives in luxury and is deceived is tormented in this way, because, although they have life, they have given themselves over to death.” “What kinds of luxur

Victorinus, On the Creation of the World Direct teaching

... but so that the Jews might be restrained to the service of one God. This was because frugality and moderation in appetite were fitting for those chosen for this purpose. And such moderation is always found to be close to religion, yes, so to speak, even related and akin to it. For luxury is hostile to holiness. For how can religion be spared by it, when modesty is not spared? Luxury does not keep the fear of God. Since pleasures hurry it on, it is carried forward to the sheer daring of its desires. For when the reins are loosened, it increases in the use of expense without measure, as if expense were its food, going beyond its patrimony together with its modesty. Or like a torrent rushing from the mountain peaks, it not only leaps over what opposes it, but carries along those very obstacles for the destruction of other things. Therefore these remedies were sought to restrain the intemperance of the people, so that as luxury was diminished, virtuous manners might increase. For what else did they deserve, than to be restrained from using all the displays of various meats, when they dared to prefer the vilest meats of the Egyptians to the divine banquets of manna, preferring the j

Novatian, On the Jewish Meats Direct teaching

...ontrol is always found to be close to religion, or rather, so to speak, related and akin to it. For luxury is hostile to holiness. How can religion be left unharmed by luxury, when even modesty is not left unharmed? Luxury does not keep the fear of God, because while pleasures drive it on, it is carried along into the mere boldness of its desires. For when the reins are loosened, it grows without limit in spending, as if expense were its food, and it exceeds its inheritance along with its modesty. Or it is like a torrent rushing down from mountain peaks. It not only leaps over what stands against it, but also carries away those very obstacles, to destroy other things. Therefore these remedies were sought to restrain the people's lack of self-control, so that as luxury was reduced, virtuous behavior might increase. For what else did they deserve except to be kept from using every kind of rich food, when they dared to prefer the lowest meats of the Egyptians to the divine banquets of manna, choosing the juicy meats of their enemies and masters over their liberty? They truly deserved that the slavery they had longed for should indulge them, since the food that was nobler and free w

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

... explain this to me also." He said, "What is it you are asking?" I said, "Sir, do those who live in luxury and are deceived suffer torture for the same length of time that they lived in luxury and deception?" He said to me, "They are tortured in the same way." I replied, "They are tormented much less, sir, because those who live so luxuriously and forget God ought to be tortured seven times as much." He said to me, "You are foolish and do not understand the power of torment." I said, "Why, sir? If I had understood it, I would not have asked you to show me." He said, "Listen to the power of both. The time of luxury and deception is one hour, but the hour of torment is equal to thirty days. So, if a man lives in luxury for one day, and is deceived, and is tortured for one day, the day of his torture is equal to a whole year. Therefore, for all the days of luxury, there are the same number of years of torture to be endured. You see, then," he continued, "that the time of luxury and deception is very short, but the time of punishment and torture is long."

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...aid to me, "Do you see this shepherd?" I said, "I see him, sir." He answered, "This is the angel of luxury and deceit. He wears out the souls of God's servants and turns them away from the truth. He deceives them with evil desires, and through these they will perish. They forget the commandments of the living God and walk in deceit and empty luxury. So they are ruined by this angel, some being brought to death and others to corruption." I said to him, "Sir, I do not know what these words mean: 'to death, and to corruption.'" He said, "Listen. The sheep you saw happy and jumping around are those who have torn themselves away from God forever and have given themselves over to the luxuries and deceits of this world. Among them there is no return to life through repentance, because they have added to their other sins and have blasphemed the name of the Lord. Therefore such people are appointed to death. And the sheep you saw not jumping, but feeding in one place, are those who have given themselves over to luxury and deceit, but have committed no blasphemy against the Lord. These have been turned away from the truth. Among them there is hope of repentance, by which it is possible to

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...in sleeping. In the middle of a feast he sighs, although he drinks from a jeweled cup. And when his luxurious bed has wrapped his body, weak from feasting, in its soft embrace, he lies awake in the middle of the down. Poor wretch, he does not realize that these things are only gilded torments, that he is kept in bondage by his gold, and that he is the slave of his luxury and wealth rather than their master. And oh, the hateful blindness of understanding, and the deep darkness of foolish greed! Although he could lighten his burden and throw off the load, he instead keeps brooding over his troublesome wealth. He stubbornly clings to his tormenting hoards. From him there is no generosity to those dependent on him, and no sharing with the poor. And yet such people call that money their own, which they guard with jealous labor, shut up at home as if it belonged to someone else, and from which they get no benefit for their friends, their children, or, in short, themselves. Their possession comes to this alone: they can keep others from possessing it. And oh, what a remarkable twisting of names! They call those things good things which they use for nothing but evil.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

...t our disgrace, but our glory. For just as the mind is weakened by luxury, so it is strengthened by frugality. And who can be poor if he is not in want, if he does not crave the possessions of others, if he is rich toward God? Rather, he is poor who, although he has much, desires more. Yet I will speak as I feel. No one can be as poor as he is when he is born. Birds live without any inheritance, and the cattle are fed day by day. Yet these creatures are born for us, and if we do not lust after these things, we possess them. Therefore, just as the man who travels a road is happier the more lightly he walks, so he is happier in this journey of life who moves forward in poverty and does not breathe heavily under the burden of riches. And even if we thought wealth useful to us, we would ask it of God. Surely He, to whom all things belong, could grant us some measure of it. But we would rather despise riches than possess them. We would rather desire innocency. We would rather ask for patience. We prefer being good to being prodigal. And that we feel and suffer the human mischiefs of the body is not punishment; it is warfare. For fortitude is strengthened by infirmities, and calamity

James 5:5 Direct teaching

You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

1 Timothy 6:9 Background

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Supporting witness

for as our mind is relaxed by luxury, so it is strengthened by frugality.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...hers, Lady, who are they?" She said to me, "They are daughters of each other. One of them is called Simplicity, another Guilelessness, another Chastity, another Intelligence, and another Love. When you do all the works of their mother, you will be able to live." I said, "I would like to know, Lady, what power each one of them has." She said, "Hear what power they have. Their powers are arranged by each other, and they follow each other in the order of their birth. For from Faith comes Self-restraint; from Self-restraint, Simplicity; from Simplicity, Guilelessness; from Guilelessness, Chastity; from Chastity, Intelligence; and from Intelligence, Love. So the deeds of these are pure, chaste, and divine. Whoever gives himself to these, and is able to hold firmly to their works, will have his dwelling in the tower with the saints of God." Then I asked her about the ages, whether the end was now coming. She cried out in a loud voice, "Foolish man! Do you not see that the tower is still being built? When the tower is finished and built, then the end comes. And I assure you, it will be finished soon. Ask me no more questions. Let you and all the saints be content with what I have calle

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Background

Therefore all this discussion respecting the two ways has reference to frugality and luxury.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

Simplicity is a habit which does away with superfluities.

Wisdom of Solomon 1:1 Background

Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: Think of the Lord with a good heart, And in simplicity of heart seek him.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...goodness. And from the rewards of your labor, which God gives you, give to all who are in need with simplicity, without hesitating about whom you should give to or not give to. Give to everyone, for God wants His gifts to be shared among all. Those who receive will give an account to God of why and for what they received. For the suffering who receive will not be condemned, but those who receive under false pretenses will suffer punishment. Then the one who gives is guiltless. For just as he received from the Lord, so he has carried out his service with simplicity, without hesitating about whom he should give to and whom he should not give to. This service, then, if carried out with simplicity, is glorious before God. Therefore, the one who serves in this way, with simplicity, will live to God. Therefore keep these commandments, as I have given them to you, so that your repentance and the repentance of your household may be found in simplicity, and your heart may be pure and spotless."

Cyprian, Treatises Background

Therefore, Even If She Be Wealthy, She Should Consider Certainly How to Use Wealth, But for Good Purposes, for Those Things Which God Has Commanded, to Wit, for Being Spent on the Poor.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and communicate to every one in need;

Luke 12:33 Background

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

1 Timothy 6:17 Background

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Luke 12:15 Background

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:6 Background

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

...t crowd of diseases comes with it, desire for rich food, drunkenness, and love of women, as well as luxury and pursuit of every pleasure. Over all these, desire rules like a tyrant. And countless passions related to these increase, by which uncontrolled habits are carried to the highest degree. And Scripture says, "Whips are prepared for the intemperate, and punishments for the shoulders of fools," Proverbs 19:29, calling the powers of intemperance, and the steady endurance of it, "the shoulders of fools." Therefore, "Remove vain hopes from your servants," it says, "and turn away shameful desires from me. Let not appetite for food and intercourse take hold of me."

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Background

...ctly like the one called the Ventriloquist-demon. It is far better to be happy than to have a demon living with us. And happiness is found in the practice of virtue. Accordingly, the apostle Matthew ate seeds, nuts, and vegetables, without meat. And John, who carried temperance to the extreme, ate locusts and wild honey. Peter kept away from pork. But a trance fell on him, as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles, and he saw heaven opened, and a vessel lowered to the earth by its four corners. In it were all the four-footed animals and creeping things of the earth and the birds of heaven. And a voice came to him: "Rise, kill, and eat." And Peter said, "No, Lord, for I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And the voice came to him again a second time: "What God has cleansed, do not call common," Acts 10:10-15. The use of these things is therefore a matter of indifference to us. For it is not what enters into the mouth that defiles a man, Matthew 15:11, but the empty opinion about uncleanness. For when God created man, He said, "All things shall be food for you," Genesis 9:2-3. And, "Herbs with love are better than a calf with fraud," Proverbs 15:17. This well reminds

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness

...ho not only avoid such long fasting, but refuse from the beginning to fast at all, and instead live luxuriously during the first four days, and then, when they come to the last two days, that is, the Preparation and the Sabbath, fast strictly during those and those alone, and think they do something great and splendid if they hold out until morning, I cannot think that they have gone through the time on equal terms with those who have practiced the same discipline for several days before. This is the advice that I have given you in writing on these matters, according to my understanding of the question.

Victorinus, On the Creation of the World Direct teaching

...and teachings of lack of self-control. Their vices have gone so far that, while fasting, they drink early in the morning. They do not think it Christian to drink after food, unless the wine poured into their empty and idle veins has gone down immediately after sleep. For they seem to enjoy what they drink less if food is mixed with the wine. So you may see such people in a new condition: still fasting, and already drunk; not running to the tavern, but carrying the tavern around with them. And if one of them offers a greeting, he gives not a kiss, but drinks a health. What can they do after food, when food finds them already drunk? Or in what condition does the setting sun leave those whom the rising sun sees already dull with wine? But things that are detestable are not to be taken as our examples. For only those things are to be taken by which our soul may be made better. And although in the Gospel the use of foods is given to us generally, it is still understood to be given to us only with the law of frugality and self-control. For these things are especially fitting for the faithful, that is, for those who are about to pray to God and give Him thanks, not only by day, but als

Novatian, On the Jewish Meats Direct teaching

...essons in lack of self-control. Their vices have even reached this point: while fasting, they drink early in the morning. They do not think it Christian to drink after food, unless the wine poured into their empty and idle veins has gone down immediately after sleep. For they seem to enjoy what they drink less if food is mixed with the wine. So you may see such people in a new condition: still fasting, yet already drunk; not running to the tavern, but carrying the tavern around with them. And if one of them offers a greeting, he does not give a kiss, but drinks a health. What can they do after food, when food finds them intoxicated? Or in what condition does the sun at its setting leave them, when at its rising it sees them already dull with wine? But things that are detestable are not to be taken as our examples. Only those things are to be followed by which our soul may be made better. And although in the Gospel the use of foods is given to us generally, it is still understood to be given to us only with the law of frugality and self-control. For these things are especially fitting for the faithful, that is, for those who are about to pray to God and give Him thanks, not only

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

...e case required, or more than reason allowed? If that were so, then people, keeping due measure and moderation in eating, would never go wrong. I do not think that such great moderation could be found in people, even if there were no urging from the devil, so that no one in eating would go beyond proper limits and self-control, until he had learned this by long practice and experience. What then is the case? In eating and drinking, it was possible for us to go wrong even without any urging from the devil, if we happened to be less temperate or less careful than we ought to be. And should we suppose, then, that in our desire for sexual intercourse, or in restraining our natural desires, our condition is not similar? I think the same line of reasoning must also be understood to apply to other natural movements, such as covetousness, anger, sorrow, and generally all those things that, through the vice of intemperance, go beyond the natural bounds of moderation. There are therefore clear reasons for holding that, just as in good things the human will is too weak by itself to accomplish any good, for it is brought to perfection in everything by divine help, so also in things of the o

1 Timothy 6:8 Background

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Proverbs 17:1 Background

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Wisdom of Sirach 34:19 Background

A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, And he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.

Wisdom of Sirach 37:29 Background

Be not insatiable in any dainty thing, Nor too greedy upon meats:

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

...ing purple, and so they stir up lust. And in truth, those women who are mad about these foolish and luxurious purples have been seized by "purple death," according to the poetic saying. Because of this purple, Tyre and Sidon, and the region around the Spartan Sea, are greatly desired. Their dyers and purple-fishers, and the purple fish themselves, are highly valued because their blood produces purple dye. But cunning women and effeminate men mix these deceptive dyes with delicate fabrics, carry their mad desires beyond all limits, and export their fine linens no longer from Egypt, but other kinds from the land of the Hebrews and from Cilicia. I say nothing about the linens made from Amorgos and Byssus. Luxury has gone beyond the names available for it.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

It is suitable, therefore, for women who serve Christ to adopt simplicity.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For not only a simple mode of life, but also a style of speech devoid of superfluity and nicety, must be cultivated by him who has adopted the true life, if we are to abandon luxury as treacherous and profligate, as the ancient Lacedæmonians adjured ointment and purple, deeming and calling them rightly treacherous garments and treacherous ointments;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

...one else's, but with moderation; for the laborer is worthy of his reward, Luke 10:7. Let him not be luxurious in food, or love useless furnishings, but be content with only what is necessary for his support.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

And he who has been glittering in gold and purple, and has been celebrated for his costly attire, when does he reduce himself to ordinary and simple clothing?

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

When does he learn thrift who has been used to liberal banquets and sumptuous feasts?

1 Timothy 2:9 Background

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

Revelation 18:12 Background

merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;