Christian Mission and Poverty

Chapter 3: Distribution and Justice

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social justice and encouraged Christians to act toward the alleviation of poverty. He also moved beyond focusing on the responsibility of individuals (charity) to preaching against the ways systems worked together to make and keep people poor (justice). Basil also shifted from focusing on the agency of the wealthy to the personalizing of those who were categorized as poor. 2 Basil founded institutions that provided housing, medical care, and job training. In later readings, we will see a distinction made between the commandments given to all Christians and the counsels given to those committed to the “religious life” (monastics). Basil tried to avoid this dichotomy by proclaiming that the law of love as taught by Jesus is applicable to all who would follow him. He had the task of figuring out how to communicate this to his congregants. This sermon was delivered to wealthy parishioners during the time of the famine. Like Clement, he picks as his text the story of Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. He says unto him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man says unto him, All these things I have kept from my youth up: what do I yet lack? Jesus said unto him, Text Sermon to the Rich

2 C. Paul Schroeder, St. Basil the Great: On Social Justice (Crestwood: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2009), 23–25.