Saint Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon (+ 449), was a contemporary of Saint Paulinus, Bishop of Nola (+ 431). He wrote a work titled "On Contempt for the World," and in it he praised Paulinus for renouncing his wealth and high office to respond to the higher call of service to God. He thus wrote of him:
"Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, the great ornament and light of France, a person of princely revenues, powerful eloquence, and most accomplished learning, so highly approved of this our profession that choosing for himself 'the better part,' he divided all his princely inheritance amongst the poor, and afterward filled most part of the world with his elegant and pious writings."