Commodianus tells us that we owe help—not just kind words—to the sick who are in need. God himself will pay us back far more than our help costs us. If your brother should be weak—I mean a poor man—do not go to visit him empty-handed. Do good in the sight of God. Pay your obedience in money. That will help him recover—or, if he should die, then he will be refreshed, though he has nothing to pay you back with... Read more
St. Ephrem the Syrian tells us that the poor are Christ visiting us in disguise. When the poor bless us for our kindness, Christ himself is blessing us. Love poverty. Desire neediness. If you have both for your portion, you have an inheritance on high. Do not despise the voice of the poor man, and do not give him reason to curse you. For if the man whose palate is bitter curses you, the Lord will hear his petitions. If... Read more
Philip Lawler is the editor of Catholic World News and is one of America’s most incisive Catholic journalists and commentators. A graduate of Harvard College he has served as editor of Crisis magazine, the Boston Pilot and Catholic World Report. He is the author or editor of ten books on political and religious topics. His essays, book reviews, and editorial columns have appeared in over 100 newspapers around the United States and abroad. A pro-life activist and veteran of many... Read more
Theodoret tells a rich nobleman that the poverty he sees all around him is there for a reason: it’s a call for the rich to act, giving them an opportunity to serve God by their generosity to God’s people. When he distributes wealth and poverty among us, the Creator does not judge unjustly. He gives the rich the poverty of the poor as a means for the rich to be useful. So he brings chastisement on us, not only to... Read more
Pope St. Gregory the Great, having heard that one of his noble friends had suddenly fallen on hard times, advises his friend to bear adversity with patience. But Gregory doesn’t stop with sympathy and advice: he also gives the material help he knows his friend needs, but might be too proud to ask for. I know all about your troubles with the things of this world. But our only comfort when we are in the deepest trouble is the mercy... Read more
Money is the root of all evil,” we often hear. But what St. Paul really said was that “the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). St. Cyril of Jerusalem tells us that money can be used for good or for evil: you, the Christian, should use yours for good, and you will reap the reward of your works. Riches, gold, and silver do not belong to the devil, as some think. For the whole... Read more
Wealth isn’t really much fun, says St. John Chrysostom. A simple life is not only more conducive to virtue, but also just feels better. Let’s see whether wealth has any pleasure or honor—for in my eyes the case is just the opposite. First of all, if you don’t mind, let’s look into the meals of rich and poor, and ask the guests which ones enjoy the purest and most genuine pleasure. Is it the ones who recline on couches all... Read more
Christopher Reibold is a Catholic writer and storyteller, living near Pittsburgh, PA. At thirteen, he declined to make his confirmation. By seventeen, he was no longer attending mass. He worked for many years in the business world. Through his love of reading, he discovered the saints and became fascinated with their stories. His interest in the saints eventually led him to return to the Church in 2013. He was confirmed at Easter 2014. Since then, he has dedicated himself to... Read more
Whenever we have power over people, says St. John Chrysostom, we’re tempted to use that power for the basest ends. Better to have no wealth at all than to use our wealth for revenge. But riches, someone may say, bring honor to those who possess them, and give them the power to take vengeance on their enemies easily. Tell me, is this really a reason why riches seem desirable to you and worth striving for—that they nourish the most dangerous... Read more
The persecutions had ceased, and Christians were safe from the government. But they weren’t safe, says St. Gregory the Great, from the wiles of Satan, who knows how to make use of prosperity and security, too. Because the stress of the earlier tempests has lulled, and with the end of the struggle a measure of tranquility has seemed to smile on us for a long time, we have to guard against those errors that arise from the reign of peace... Read more
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