Fathers

1 Timothy 6

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Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 6:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And observe also their laws, how moderate and freed from all vain-glory. Thus: "Having," saith he, "food and covering, let us therewith be content." Not like him of Sinope, who clothed in rags and living in a cask to no good end, astonished many, but profited none: whereas Paul did none of these things; (for neither had he an eye to ostentation;) but was both clothed in ordinary apparel with all decency, and lived in a house continually, and displayed all exactness in the practice of all other virtue; which the cynic despised, living …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 35 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

For those who in appearance are rich, though they have many possessions, are yet poor in soul. The more they amass, the more they pine with longing for what they lack. But the believer, paradoxically, is rich even when poor. Knowing that we have need only of raiment and food and being content with these, he has trampled riches underfoot.

Catechetical Lecture 5:2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He defines here in what one should find contentment, and says: in having only as much as is sufficient for sustenance, and not for pleasure; one should clothe oneself with what protects the body, and this can be fulfilled even by simple clothing.

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Give us today our daily bread." It can be taken quite simply that we pour out this prayer for our daily sustenance, that we may have plenty of it; and if we don't have plenty, that we may not lack it entirely. He called it "daily," "for as long as it is called 'today.' " Daily we live, daily we get up, daily we take our fill, daily we get hungry. May he give us our daily bread.

Sermons 58.5 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He then describes man's condition from his necessities; hence he says, having food and the wherewith to be covered, with these we are content, because goods furnish us with our necessities: some are needed to prevent internal exhaustion, and these are food; others safeguard us against external forces, and for this we need coverings of clothes and houses: let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have (Heb 13:5). …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Bonaventure

Moreover, nature itself especially makes the way to this, whether instituted or fallen. For man was formed naked, and if he had remained in that state, he would have appropriated absolutely nothing to himself; but fallen man is born naked and dies naked. And therefore this is the most direct way: that, not turning aside from these extremes, one should walk poor and naked, as far as nature can endure. And this is what is said in 1 Timothy 6: We brought nothing into this world, and without doubt we can carry nothing out. …

Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2 ↗