Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here)
Calvin advises that we must walk between two extremes. We should not do what some have done: 'There have been some good and holy men who, when they saw intemperance and luxury perpetually carried to excess, if not strictly curbed, and were desirous to correct so pernicious an evil, imagined that there was no other method than to allow man to use corporeal goods only in so far as they were necessaries: a counsel pious indeed, but unnecessarily austere; for it does the very dangerous thing of binding consciences in closer fetters than those in which they are bound by the word of God. Moreover, necessity, according to them, was abstinence from every thing which could be wanted, so that they held it scarcely lawful to make any addition to bread and water. '
Rather we should use what God gives us for our good: ' Let this be our principle, that we err not in the use of the gifts of Providence when we refer them to the end for which their author made and destined them, since he created them for our good, and not for our destruction.'
To do so, Calvin advises: 'There is no surer or quicker way of accomplishing this than by despising the present life and aspiring to celestial immortality. For hence two rules arise: First, “it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;” “and they that use this world, as not abusing it,” (1 Cor. 7:29, 31). Secondly, we must learn to be no less placid and patient in enduring penury, than moderate in enjoying abundance.'
I appreciated this advice: 'Those who are much occupied with the care of the body, usually give little care to the soul. Therefore while the liberty of the Christian in external matters is not to be tied down to a strict rule, it is, however, subject to this law—he must indulge as little as possible; on the other hand, it must be his constant aims not only to curb luxury, but to cut off all show of superfluous abundance, and carefully beware of converting a help into an hinderance.'
Indulging in as little as possible is a safe side to err on.
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Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
2 comments:
I really appreciated his section on calling. "That no task will be so sordid and base, provided you obey your calling in it, that it will not shine and be reckoned very precious in God's sight."
It's an area I struggle with sometimes, as it seems house wife duties don't add much to the kingdom of God, but as that is currently the station and calling where God has placed me, I need to continue to trust that doing my chores in obedience, faith and joy is indeed pleasing to my Father.
Yes, I agree CJ.
It is so hard to lose the worldly view of tasks and take delight in whatever it is God would have us do.
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