st john chrysostom on wealth and poverty

Therefore, when he heard Job praised by that God who knows all secrets, he thought to be able to overcome, nor did he in his guile cease trying every method and every device in order to cause the man to fall. The Tempter continually goes to and fro to baffle our salvation, while he himself gains nothing, but rather is to the last degree a loser by his zeal but still so maddened is he, that he often attempts impossible things, and attacks not only those whom he expects to cause utterly to stumble and fall, but also those who in all probability will escape his snares. For we men being ignorant of the future, cannot therefore be certain, as to the hearers, whether they will be persuaded or whether they will disbelieve that which we say but Christ, knowing both one and the other perfectly, did not cease instructing the disobedient even to the end. And if this that I say seem to you unreasonable, suffer me to confirm it by things which Christ himself said and did. Do not give up on a troubled soulĪnd what need is there to speak of those who, after repeated warnings, have not come to their right mind? It behooves us not to abandon or neglect even those who are diseased incurably, even if we foresee clearly that, after having had the benefit of our zeal and good counsel, they will not at all profit by it. You shouldn’t remain silent as to how important God is to your life just because you have a hunch that your words will not be well-received by the hearer. Sharing the Gospelįor when thou sowest the seed, and the hearer receives it not, and does not bring forth the fruit of obedience, thou hast the reward of thy intent, laid up with God and thou wilt receive the same recompense whether the hearer obey or disobey for thou hast performed all thy duty.Įven if sharing your testimony and faith-from a position of love and not pride-doesn’t immediately help others come to Christ, you will still receive your reward. It is difficult to find a set of his complete works so the best I can do is read booklets like this that are focused on a defined topic area.

On Wealth and Poverty is my second book by Saint John Chrysostom, a Church Father who is highly venerated in the Orthodox Church.

St john chrysostom on wealth and poverty