Christian Mission and Poverty

Chapter 1: Early Christian Teaching

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the Word as his trainer, and Christ the President of the contest; and for his prescribed food and drink let him have the New Testament of the Lord; and for exercises, the commandments; and for elegance and ornament, the fair dispositions, love, faith, hope, knowledge of the truth, gentleness, meekness, pity, gravity: so that, when by the last trumpet the signal shall be given for the race and departure from here, as from the stadium of life, he may with a good conscience present himself victorious before the Judge who grants the rewards, confessedly worthy of the Fatherland on high, to which he returns with crowns and the praises of angels. 4. May the Savior then grant to us that . . . we may contribute to the brothers what is true, and suitable, and saving . . . He indeed grants to those who beg, and teaches those who ask, and dissolves ignorance and dispels despair, by introducing again the same words about the rich, which become their own interpreters and infallible expounders. For there is nothing like listening again to the very same statements, which till now in the Gospels were distressing you, hearing them as you did without examination . . . And going forth into the way, one approached and kneeled, saying, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit everlasting life? And Jesus says, Why do you call Me good? There is none good but one, that is , God. You know the commandments. Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother. And he answering says to Him, All these have I observed. And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and said, One thing you lack. If you would be perfect, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.