The Prevention of Poverty, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
NOw why are godly Christians so content with a little? that they desire no more: certainly they could be as rich as the richest, and as wise for earthly things, as they are for heavenly. (As when Thales was upbraided, that all his wisdome could not make him rich: setting but his minde to it, he saw by study, that there would be a great scarcity of oil, which in the time of plenty he took up upon credit, and when the want came, by his store he became exceeding rich as Laertius relates:) but they are better pleased with a competency then to trouble themselves to get, or indeed to desire an opulency. The Christians reasons are these.
First, they consider, that as a shoe fit is better then one either too big, or too little; (for one too big sets the foot awry; and one too little hindereth the going) so a mean estate is best. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, then great treasure and trouble therewith, Prov. 15. 16. A ship of great burthen, and heavy laden, comes with great labour and difficulty, and with much a doe is brought in; if it want ballast and lading, there is great danger of overturning; but a light Pinace indifferently fraight, comes along swiftly, and is brought to the harbour with much ease.
Nor do the godly wise, desire more then they can wield, in which they resemble Aristippus, who when a servant in journeying with him, was ty red with the weight of the money which he carried; bid him cast out that which was too heavy and carry the rest: whereas the covetous man is like Arthipertus King of the Lombards; who flying from Asprandus his enemy, and being to swim over the River Tesino, to save his life, took so much gold with him, that he both drowned it, and himself with it.
Secondly, the poor and mean, have a deeper sense of Gods fatherly care and providence, in replenishing them, at all times of need, (even beyond imagination or expression) then others have, that know not what it is sometimes to want: whiles wicked mindes have their full scope, they never look up above themselves: but when once God crosseth them in their projects, their want of success, teaches them to give God his own.
We should forget at whose cost we live, if we wanted nothing: And doubtless, one bit from the month of the Raven, was more pleasing to Elijah; then a whole Table full of Ahabs dainties. Nothing is more comfortable to Gods children, then to see the sensible demonstrations of the divine care and providence, as is promised, Prov. 3. 6. In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy wayes. The godly man wearies not himself with cares & fears, have he but from hand to mouth: (never so little) for he knows he lives not at his own cost. He considers what Saint Peter saith, 1 Pet. 5. Cast your care upon the Lord, for he careth for you, verse 7. He remembers what our Saviour saith, Matth. 6. observes the same, and never doubts of the performance; so he takes no thought for to morrow, what he shall eat, or what he shall drink, or wherewith he shall be clothed: but applauds his own happiness, knowing that he who feedeth the fowls of the Air, and arrayeth the Lillies of the field, will be sure to feed and clothe them that are his sons and houshold servants, Matth. 6. 25, to the end, Luke 12. 22, to 33. Levit. 26. 3, to 14. Phil. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Psal. 55. 22.
Besides, as there are intercourses of sleeping and waking, of night and day, of fair weather and foul, of war and peace, of labour and recreation; that each may set off the other, so God findes it meet, by a sense of want to humble us; and by supplying our wants to fill us with joy and thankfulness.
Ptolomie King of Egypt, going a hunting lost his way, and could get no better fare, then a course brown loaf in a Shepherds house: but this he said seemed sweeter and better to him; then all the delights that ever he ate or met with before. Content in want, is plenty with an over-plus.
The giver of all things knows how to dispence his favours so, as that every one may have cause both of thankfulness and humiliation: whiles there is none that hath all, nor any one but hath some.
Thirdly, God in mercy not seldome keeps his children from riches and abundance: lest they should choak and wound them; for they are snares and thorns, Matth. 13. 22.
Indeed riches are a blessing, if we can so possess them; that they possess not us: There can be no danger, much benefit in abundance, all the good or ill, of wealth or poverty; is in the minde, in the use. But this is the misery, Plenty of goods, commonly occasions plenty of evils. How many had been good? had they not been great. Divers have changed their mindes with their means, neither hath God worse servants in the world, then are rich men of the world: if adversity hath slain her thousands, prosperity hath slain her ten thousand. Commonly where is no want, is much wantonness: and as we grow rich in temporals, we grow poor in spirituals. Usually so much the more proud, secure, wanton, scornful, impenitent, &c. by how much the more we are enriched, advanced, and blessed. They spend their days in wealth, therefore they say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes; and what is the Almighty that we should fear him? Job 11. 13, 14, 15.