Wisdom from Matthew Henry

"Sit loose to the world and everything in it. The more the world is crucified in us, the more our corrupt passions will be crucified in us. If we would keep calm and quiet, we must by faith live above the stormy region...

Christians, whatever you have of the world in your hands, be it more of less, as you value the peace as well as the purity of your souls, keep it out of your hearts; and evermore let out your affections towards your possessions, enjoyments, and delights in the world with a due consideration of the disappointment and provocation which probably you will meet with in them, and let that restrain and give check to the inordinary...

Those who are greedy of gain trouble their own hearts, as well as their own houses (Prov. 15:27); they are a burden to themselves and a terror to all about them...

And those who serve their own bellies, who are pleased with nothing unless it be wound up to the height of pleasure, who are like the "tender and delicate woman, that would not be sent so much as the sole of her foot to the ground for tenderness and delicacy," lie very open to that which is disquieting, and cannot without a great disturbance to themselves bear a disappointment; and therefore Plutarch, that great moralist, prescribes for the preservation of our meekness "not to be curious in diet, or clothes, or attendance; for they who need but few things, are not liable to anger if they be disappointed of many.""

   ~Matthew Henry, The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, 1698