Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 986 — The rebuke to a guest for burdening

It is narrated from Abu Wa'il that he said: I went with a companion of mine to visit Sayyiduna Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him), and he brought bread and salt (to host us). At this my companion said: "If only there were some za'tar (a fragrant herb) with this salt of ours." (Hearing this,) Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) pawned his mithara (ablution vessel) and had za'tar brought. Then, when we had finished eating, my companion said these words: 'Al-hamdu lillahi alladhi qanna'ana bima razaqana' (All praise is for Allah who has granted us contentment with what He has provided us). Hearing this, Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) said (making the reality of the situation clear): "Had you truly been content with the provision available, my ablution vessel would not have been pawned (in the market)."
This report teaches that a guest should be pleased with the blessings present on the dining cloth and avoid such requests as become a burden or a cause of debt for the host.