Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
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+ What is “the world”? What are “the things that are in the world”? Listen! It is<br />
not gold, silver, horses or mules. All these things that serve our physical needs<br />
we possess ourselves. It is not meat, nor bread, nor wine, for we partake of<br />
these things and eat them in moderation. It is not houses, or public facilities,<br />
nor fields, nor vineyards, nor suburban properties...Therefore, what is “the<br />
world”? It is sin, my brothers and sisters, and the attachment to material things<br />
and passions. Let John the Theologian, the beloved disciple, speak of “the<br />
things that are in the world”. He says, “Do not love the world or the things of<br />
the world.. .for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the<br />
eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15).<br />
- St. Symeon the New Theologian<br />
+ Why do we trouble and torment ourselves because we have not received<br />
some treasure we desired, or fear losing it? Because that which we expected or<br />
which we have lost was the idol of our heart, because our heart has withdrawn<br />
from the Lord, the Source of Living Waters, who alone can fill and give peace<br />
to it. Let us cling to God with our whole heart, and then no earthly loss, or<br />
disappointment at not receiving earthly goods such as money or honors, which<br />
are...perishable things, will grieve us. Let us learn to live an inward life. Let us<br />
turn our thoughts to the highest blessings, to the heavenly recompense which<br />
alone is desirable and true. This alone makes those who obtain it, truly happy.<br />
- St. John of Kronstadt<br />
+ Nothing that is God’s is obtainable by money.<br />
- Tertullian<br />
+ It is possible that gold may never be in your possession, even though you<br />
desire it. But God will possess you as soon as you desire Him.<br />
- St. Augustine<br />
+ In the fashioning of our clothes, we must keep clear of all strangeness, so<br />
that in the use of them we will avoid all extravagance.<br />
- St. Clement of Alexandria<br />
+ If you despise riches, you will be radiant in the House of the King.<br />
- St. John Chrysostom<br />
+ Don’t let the desire to possess things take hold of you. For what do we gain<br />
by acquiring things we cannot take with us?<br />
- St. Athanasius<br />
+ In great households, the servants who disregard their own interests and<br />
zealously and promptly promote their master’s interests are favored.<br />
- St. John Chrysostom<br />
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