Thus material brings comfort (6)
I believe the answer is:
solace
'comfort' is the definition.
('solace' can be a synonym of 'comfort')
'thus material' is the wordplay.
'thus' becomes 'so' ('so' can be a synonym of 'thus').
'material' becomes 'lace' (lace is a kind of material**).
'so'+'lace'='SOLACE'
'brings' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for solace that I've seen before include "Relief in affliction" , "Comfort in misery" , "Comfort and reassurance" , "console" , "Something that comforts distress" .)