Heave up this image, and look well about it, and into it, and then shalt thou see covetousness and love of earthly things possess a great part of this image, though it seem little of it. Thou hast forsaken riches and the having much of this world, and art shut up in a cell, but hast thou cleanly forsaken the love of all this? I fear not yet, for it is less mastery to forsake worldly goods than to forsake the love of them. Peradventure thou hast not forsaken thy covetousness, but only hast changed it from great things unto small; from a pound unto a penny, and from a silver dish unto a dish of a halfpenny. This is but a simple change; thou art no good merchant. These examples are childish, nevertheless they signify much more. If thou believe not what I say, put thyself upon the trial. (John Climacus)

Unlike the monastics to whom Climacus is writing, I have not forsaken the world.

Moreover, I am inclined to cultivate and celebrate earthly beauty, worldly wisdom, and the material potential of God's gifts. If I am to put myself on trial, I plead guilty.

Still, I understand the potential distraction of beauty and the corruption of acquisitiveness. There is an enormous difference between celebrating and coveting. So I will listen carefully as Climacus unfolds his indictment.