Unfortunately, Graeme used the quote I had intended to use. This must needs be the checkered pattern workings of Providence directing me to a different quote so I chose to show this gem off. Listen here,
In a word, the nature and experience of things dictated to me, upon just reflection, that all good things of this world are no further good to us than they are for our use; and that, whatever we may heap up indeed to give others, we may enjoy as much as we can use, and no more. The most covetous, griping miser in the world would have been cured of the vice of covetousness if he had been in my case; for I possessed infinitely more than I knew what to do with. I had no room for desire, except it was of things which I had not, and they were but trifles, though, indeed, of great use to me. I had, as I hinted before, a parcel of money, as well as gold as silver, about thirty-six pounds sterling. Alas! there the nasty, sorry, useless stuff lay! I had no manner of business for it; and I often thought with myself that I would have given a handful of it for a gross of tobacco pipes; or for a hand-mill to grind my corn; nay, I would have given it all for a sixpenny-worth of turnip and carrot seed out of England, or for a handful of peas and beans and a bottle of ink. As it was, I had not the least advantage by it, or benefit from it; but there it lay in a drawer, and grew moldy with the damp of the cave in the wet seasons. And if I had had the drawer full of diamonds it had been the same case; they had been of no manner of value to me, because of no use.Excellent quote. That is basically how I feel all the time. I really don't need this money, this computer, or this car. I just need enough to eat and live: both of food and of the Word of God. That is exactly what Robinson Crusoe finds out. You ought to give this book a read for certain.
Loving the Providential Caretaker with you friends,
R. D. Thompson
8 comments:
I have actually been thinking about this exact concept in the realm of financial responsibility... I asked my wife just a few minutes ago, actually, what it would be like if we never increased our standard of living relevant to pay increases. What if we lived in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment even when I am out of school and we are making 3-5x what we are making now? Would we be less happy in our choices, or would we learn to be more content with each other?
Plus the whole concept of investing and being able to give our income away is attractive to me, but I was just curious to this. The American way is to increase lifestyle every time a person gets a raise. But what if I lived on 14k a year for the next twenty years? We could buy a house with cash and have over a million in investments. That's a lot of charitable bandwidth, as well as a lot of inheritance for my children and grandchildren.
(by the way, I am going to be commenting on your blog a lot now that I will never see you again. heh.)
just off hand...who IS Philosomo?
Maybe it was God's providence that I should read Crusoe when I was young, so to become in a way the long-winded and quasi-puritanical personage that I am?
Philosomo's comment was edifying in its scope. Doesn't Paul say, "work... that you might have to give to others"?
PS: I have sometimes thought it would be nice to open a bed & breakfast for my wife to manage (which necessitates having a wife) and stocking the whole with such excellent books as would impose themselves upon the visitors. This would also economize upon our possessions to be almost all matters of use and not strictly personal effects.
I just wonder, would it be acceptable for me to abet persons who are clearly not married and yet would use my house for their place of illicit escape?
If I recall, it wasn't uncommon just 10-20 years ago for hotels to check your I.D.'s to ensure that you were married. Culture = down the toilet.
I just read this book, and though I'm not as yet as philosophical by any means as the rest of you, I also was moved exceedingly by it. I read it to my 11yo & 10yo for their studies. We had some interesting discussions. I was actually amazed that they understood it as it wasn't abridged or simplified at all.
Amy Tuttle
Tarapoto, Peru
PS. I found your blog through your wife's link to your latest post on facebook. Babies are AMAZING from the very first day and even more miraculous when they come out! First of all, that they do come out... they get big in there. Second, that they are so complete little people. I cannot/will not ever cease to be amazed by this "everyday" miracle of new life. Astounding. God be praised!
Amy,
I can't WAIT to have a baby! I am SO excited!
I am never endingly amazed by what young children can and do comprehend in the realm of heavy doctrine. Children have an incredible capacity to think that most people don't credit to them. I don't think this book should be read any other way!
(did you read it in Spanish or English?)
English. We read the Bible in Spanish to the kids, but I'm not sure that even I would do well with Robinson Crusoe in Spanish, if we could even find an unabridged translation...
Yep. Kids are amazing... despite the fact that they're sinners from the get-go. seriously. The depravity of man became almost immediately apparent - personalities do differ greatly - you may hope in that. But what a privilege it is to have such an impact for eternity. Start praying now!
I am excited for you guys.
Dei gratia,
Amy
The free June book give-away, which ends at midnight, is for a black leather edition of Valley of Vision, the classic collection of Puritan prayers.
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