day no. 17,026: middle-class fancy

“It may sound odd, but many Christians have not learned contentment with their blessings in the middle. They have not leaned middle class contentment. I like to think that if God gave me a boatload of money, I could do an enormous amount of good for the kingdom. This is has been a point of disagreement between me and the Lord for some years now. So be content with what you have (Heb. 13:5)” — Douglas Wilson, Calibrated Wealth Preferences

Too much or too little is not too good. Too much and hubris seeps in. Too little and scruples leak out. The Goldilocks zone is good enough and enough, that sense, is as good as a feast. Better to be middle-class and a welcomed as a friend at Bag End than to be honored among the upper crusties in the land of Mordor. 

1 Timothy 6:6-8

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Contentment is better than riches. The greedy never have enough even when it is ten times more than most.

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The one who has God and nothing else has more than he who has everything except God.