Self-sufficiency and frugality

Metropolitan Kyprianos [II] of Oropos and Phyle | October 26, 2025 (O.S.)

 

The concern of every Christian must be the securing of the necessary material goods for his life and, at the same time, the securing of free time, in order to devote it to the acquisition of spiritual goods, which have great value in the present life and naturally greater in the life to come.

For this to become a reality, a person needs to be self-sufficient, that is, to be able to cover his needs on his own and to be content with what he has. He must not seek abundance and, above all, must not be greedy.

Work is the blessed task that ensures self-sufficiency and at the same time protects the dignity of man.

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The Apostle Paul was the working preacher of the word of the Lord, so as not to burden the faithful. He often said this and asked his disciples to do the same. His words to the Thessalonians are clear:

“You will remember, brothers, our toil and hardship. While we preached to you the Gospel of God, we were also working day and night, so as not to burden any of you with our sustenance. You and God are witnesses of how holy, just, and blameless our behavior was toward you who believed. You well know that we behaved toward each one of you as a father toward his children” (1 Thess. 2:9–11).

And he encouraged them to have love among themselves and to consider it “an honor to live without disturbances, to concern themselves only with their own affairs and to work in order to earn their bread with their own hands, just as he had instructed them. In this way, they would have the respect of non-Christians and would not be financially dependent on anyone” (1 Thess. 4:11–12).

Noteworthy also is the reference of the Apostle Paul to his personal life. He writes to the Philippians: “I have learned to be content with what I have. I know how to live with deprivation and with abundance; I have learned to face any circumstance. Both to be full and to be hungry. Both to have excess and to be in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11–13).

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Christians are not confined to themselves; their heart is also turned toward their neighbor. They do not remain apathetic and indifferent to his needs, his pain, and his misery. They know that “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6), as well as that “God is able to provide you abundantly with every gift, so that you may be completely self-sufficient” (2 Cor. 9:8).

The divine Chrysostom emphasizes that self-sufficiency is a source of freedom and many goods. Self-sufficiency means a pleasant life, release from many sloth-bearing cares, bodily vigor, good health, wakefulness of soul, spiritual vigilance.

On the contrary, in a luxurious and meddlesome life there is disgust, bodily weakness, sickness, lack of freedom, waste, fear of change (Chrysostom, vol. I, p. 728).

Self-sufficiency is directly connected with piety. Wealth hinders piety, and those who desire to become rich through it are mistaken.

● “Piety is great gain, but only for the one who is content with what he has” (1 Tim. 6:6).

 

Greek source: https://www.imoph.org/pdfs/2025/11/08/20251108aAytarkeia-oligarkeia.pdf