Self-contentment is a special virtue that inclines one to be satisfied with whatever one has. The contrary is that of never being satisfied but always complaining and endlessly asking for more. Greed and avarice are born of insatiability. It leads to grasping and extortion and self-centeredness. The readings of today invite us to adopt a simplistic approach to life in order to enjoy the peace of every moment.
Being Content with the Day’s Supplies
The first reading from the wisdom book of Proverbs teaches on the value of living with satisfaction for the day’s provision from God. The powerful prayer reads: “Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Prov 30:7-9).
The prayer highlights four things that are much discussed in the wisdom tradition: honesty, self-contentment, poverty, wealth. Honesty and self-contentment are extolled as values that enhance one’s peace and happiness, while extreme poverty and excessive wealth are considered as great dangers. Wealth is seen as a divine gift and highly valued when acquired justly, as in Job’s case, but in some circumstances, it is seen as a factor in the furtherance of oppressive structures (Qoh 9:13-16; Sir 13:3,23; 28:10; 31:5-11). Poverty is looked at with disdain when it is a fruit of laziness, and the sages generally encourage their students to despise poverty (Prov 20:13; Sir 22:1-2; 37:11).
The idea is that wisdom is better than gold. It is always best to live modestly with honesty, which is a mark of wisdom. This lifestyle surpasses having wealth and living with falsehood. In all circumstances, one needs sufficient provision of daily food and daily needs. This prayer sounds like the Lord’s prayer in the Gospels. We are encouraged not to be overanxious but to pray for the daily bread. We are happier when we have all we need for each day. Anxiety for accumulation for the uncertain future robs us of peace. Unfortunately, that is how most of us live in our contemporary materialistic age. The wisdom teacher of Proverbs has a more spiritual outlook on life.
Dependence on Divine Providence
In the Gospel of today from Luke 9:1-6, Jesus sends his twelve disciples on mission and gives them specific instructions to journey on without any budget or provisions. “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; not even an extra tunic” (9:3). One needs courage and great confidence to undertake such a missionary journey. It is a mission without financial security but only trust in the word of the Sender. That is the lot Jesus prepares for his missionaries.
However, he does not send them to die of hunger and penury. He tells them that wherever they go and are received, they have to stay in the same house and depart from there (9:4). This means that wherever they are welcomed they are sure of their daily bread and daily needs. God has a way of moving the heart of the people to provide for them. In fact, the lack of reception anywhere is a sign that their daily bread is not assured. And they should never work in such a place. They have to leave for another place. What this implies is that Jesus does not intend his workers to lack daily sustenance. At the same time, he does not want them to have their own financial security or to be grasping and avaricious.
Challenges of Living with Divine Providence
Surely, it is difficult to live in today’s world without worrying for the future. Of course, God does not encourage us to live aimlessly. But to live with faith and hope in His everyday plans for us. The one who lives with such trust remains free from worry and anxiety, but lives with self-contentment. In fact, the Apostle Peter tells us: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). We pray to accept with joy whatever God in His providence gives us each day!
