NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

Homiletical.art thou distressed? Why dost thou harass thyself in thy efforts to shut up thy riches in clayand bricks? ‘A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.’ 582 If thou admire richesbecause of the honour that comes from them, bethink thee how very much more it tendsto thine honour that thou shouldst be called the father of innumerable children than thatthou shouldst possess innumerable staters in a purse. Thy wealth thou wilt leave behindthee here, even though thou like it not. The honour won by thy good deeds thou shaltconvey with thee to the Master. Then all people standing round about thee in the presenceof the universal Judge shall hail thee as feeder and benefactor, and give thee all the namesthat tell of loving kindness. Dost thou not see theatre-goers flinging away their wealth onboxers and buffoons and beast-fighters, fellows whom it is disgusting even to see, for thesake of the honour of a moment, and the cheers and clapping of the crowd? And art thoua niggard in thy expenses, when thou art destined to attain glory so great? God will welcomethee, angels will laud thee, mankind from the very beginning will call thee blessed. For thystewardship of these corruptible things thy reward shall be glory everlasting, a crown ofrighteousness, the heavenly kingdom. Thou thinkest nothing of all this. Thy heart is sofixed on the present that thou despisest what is waited for in hope. Come then; dispose ofthy wealth in various directions. ‘Be generous and liberal in thy expenditure on the poor.Let it be said of thee, ‘He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endurethfor ever.’ 583 Do not press heavily on necessity and sell for great prices. Do not wait for afamine before thou openest thy barns. ‘He that withholdeth corn, the people shall cursehim.’ 584 Watch not for a time of want for gold’s sake—for public scarcity to promote thyprivate profit. Drive not a huckster’s bargains out of the troubles of mankind. Make notGod’s wrathful visitation an opportunity for abundance. Wound not the sores of mensmitten by the scourge. Thou keepest thine eye on thy gold, and wilt not look at thy brother.Thou knowest the marks on the money, and canst distinguish good from bad. Thou canstnot tell who is thy brother in the day of distress.”The conclusion is 585 “‘Ah!’—it is said—‘words are all very fine: gold is finer.’ I makethe same impression as I do when I am preaching to libertines against their unchastity.Their mistress is blamed, and the mere mention of her serves but to enkindle their passions.How can I bring before your eyes the poor man’s sufferings that thou mayest know out ofwhat creep groanings thou art accumulating thy treasures, and of what high value will seemto thee in the day of judgment the famous words, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inheritthe kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred andlvii582 Prov. ii. 1.583 Ps. cxii. 9.584 Prov. xi. 26.585 § 8.99