In Basil’s sense, we can talk of giving to the poor only if some who are not poor exist.

On a Sermon of Saint Basil

By James V. Schall, S.J.

Thoughts on poverty abound: Why it exists? What can be done? Other thoughts about it we see less often: “The willingness to give should accord with one’s means, nor to go beyond them,” Paul writes to the Corinthians; “the relief of others ought not to impoverish you; there should be a certain equality.” (2 Cor. 8:13)

St. Basil the Great (d. 379), in his third sermon on Charity, writes: “Man should be like the earth and bear fruit; he should not let inanimate matter surpass him.” Inanimate matter does not produce much unless man adds his intelligence and labor. The earth is designed to have man with his purpose within it, to perfect it.

Basil, following Genesis, tells us: “The earth bears crops for your benefit, not for its own.” He adds: “When we give to the poor, we are bearing fruit.” We are to be concerned with our eternal well-being: “You are going to leave your money behind you here whether you wish or not.” But what we do take with us is “what we have won through good works.” Basil even appeals to our vanity: “In the presence of the universal judge, all people will surround you, acclaim you as a public benefactor.” Thus, the Platonic and Christian notion of a last judgment arises out of how we use our goods.

What do people do with their riches? Basil lived no cloistered life: “Do you not see how people throw away their wealth on theatrical performances, boxing contests, mimes, and fights between men and wild beasts, which are sickening to see, and all for the sake of fleeting honor and popular applause?” I will resist the temptation to ask here: “But, granted the abuse, are not the theater and the sports arena also places of human worth indicated by ever-fleeting honor and applause?”

“Your reward for the right use of things of this world will be everlasting glory.”





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