By Elias Aslaksen This is one of the most common, sinful desires among believers. The worst of them even buy with money that is not theirs! According to God’s laws, this is criminal, even though it is usually not reckoned as such. Believers usually consider that they are on the right way when they buy whatever they desire, as long as they have earned or received the money honorably. By thinking in this way, they completely jump over the main law in the kingdom of God, namely, the law of love!!! This law, together with the law of contentment, tells us in no uncertain terms to buy as little as possible for ourselves so we can have as much as possible for the others and for the spreading of God’s kingdom among people—among those who are unsaved and those who are believers. This is where this deadly serious word fits especially well; namely, “But she [he] who lives in pleasure is dead while she [he] lives.” 1 Tim. 5:6. When one is dead it is no wonder that one is blind to the law of love itself! The Scriptures speak with plain words and state it in various ways; for example: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Tim. 6:8. How unspeakably far away most people are from being content with very little! In the French Bible the word “clothing” is not translated in the plural but in the singular! And instead of “We shall be content” it says, “It is sufficient for us.” This was written to people who lived in a warmer climate than we do in Norway, so here it is fitting to have a little bit more because of the cold winters. Nevertheless, the whole thing boils down to this one thing: Contentment is and remains contentment no matter where we are in the world, and love for our fellow man is and remains love wherever we are. Every attempt to explain this away is evil! Motto: As little as possible for ourselves! As much as possible for the others!