О сребролюбии

The love of money is the root of all evil: like bad branches, it feeds other passions and does not allow what has blossomed from it to wither. Whoever wants to destroy passions, let him pull out the root, but as long as the love of money remains, you will not do yourself any good by cutting off the branches, because even if they are cut off, they will soon grow again. A covetous monk is an overloaded ship, and easily sunk in storm-tossed waves. Just as every wave adds danger to a ship that has a leak, so the acquisitive man drowns more and more in worries. A non-covetous monk is an unpretentious traveler who finds refuge for himself in every place. A non-covetous monk is a high-flying eagle: he only descends for food when the need compels him. He is above all temptation, laughs at everything present, rises high, moves away from everything earthly, lives in heaven with those above, because his wings are light and not burdened with worries. Sorrow has come - and he leaves the place without sorrow; death has overtaken him - he complacently settles from here, because he has not bound his soul with any earthly ties. But the acquisitive man is bound by cares and, like a dog, tied with a chain: if he is forced to move, he carries with him a heavy burden and useless sorrow - the memory of property; Sadness stings him, and he is greatly tormented in his thoughts. Did he leave the property? He is tormented by sadness! If death comes to him, he leaves the present with pity, gives up his soul - and does not take his eyes off what he has; they force him in like a runaway slave; separated from the body, but not separated from the property; the stronger attractions are held by his passion. The sea is not filled, taking in many rivers, and the desire of the money-lover is not satisfied by the fact that he has collected money; he doubled it, and wants to do it twice as much, and never ceases to double it until death stops this useless zeal. A prudent monk will take into account only the needs of the body and satisfy the poverty of the belly with bread and water, will not use caresses before the rich to please the belly, will not enslave the free mind to many rulers, because only hands are enough to serve the body and satisfy natural needs in everything. A non-covetous monk is an unstoppable fighter and an easy walker, soon reaching “to the honor of a high calling” (Phil. 3:14). An acquisitive monk rejoices in many incomes, while a non-acquisitive monk rejoices in crowns for success. A money-loving monk is intense in his work, while a non-covetous monk spends his time in prayer and reading. A money-loving monk fills treasuries with gold, while a non-covetous monk collects “treasure in Heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Cursed is the one who makes an idol and places it “in secret” (Deut. 27:15), and also the one who has the passion of love of money: he bows to a useless ingot, and this one wears dreams of wealth instead of an idol. You might be interested in: