God Will Not Be Shared with Other Things

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God Will Not Be Shared with Other Things

Reflection: Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; Nahum 1:2

Men of the world would fain increase their share of this world’s goods: some covet gold and silver, others houses and families, others a great name, influence, and glory. One is allured by one object, another by something else, and all strive by various paths to achieve their various projects. But the portion of holy souls is God Himself. If we would be possessed of such a portion, such a heritage as is our Lord, it behooves us so to order our life that we may deserve to possess Him and be ourselves possessed by Him. That is to say, if we would possess God as our lot, we must have nothing outside of God, for he is avaricious indeed for whose desires God is not enough. If we look for any other object, as, for instance, gold, silver, or property, God will disdain to be shared with such things.

Hugh of St. Victor (1096 – 1141)