Глава 24. О том, что подвижнику не должно домогаться почестей и отличий

An ascetic should not aspire to honor at all. For if he seeks rewards here for his labors and merits, then he is pitiful because through a temporary reward he loses an eternal one. If he intends to strive here and receive crowns in heaven, then he must not only not seek honors himself, but run and refuse those given to him, so that the honor here does not serve to diminish the glory there. For the present life is all given up to labors and exploits, and the future - to crowns and rewards, just like the great Paul, approaching his end in this life and moving to the life there, says: “I have fought the good fight, I have died, I have kept the faith; other things... the crown of righteousness is kept for me, which the Lord will reward me not here, but at the day he, the righteous Judge" (2 Tim. 4:7-8). And the Savior also says: “In this world you will have sorrow” (John 16:33); and again the same Apostle says: “Through many tribulations it is fitting for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Acts 14:22). Therefore, if you want to reign in the next century, then look here not for peace, not for honor, but on the contrary, if at the present time you endure sorrow for the word, that is, for the truth, know that you will reign later. For this reward is determined for the sorrow here, raised for the sake of good. If you do not endure sorrows, then do not expect crowns there, just as you do not go out here to the deeds and labors that are appointed to receive crowns. Therefore, the ascetic does not at all seek honors or preference from others. For “everyone who exalts himself will humble himself, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). If an ascetic ascends, then he has a heavy and strong restraint that can bring him down to hell. If he humbles himself, he will be exalted brilliantly and majestically, because God, by His own power, exalts the humble. So, ascetic, wait for the One who beautifully exalts, and do not be cowardly for the sake of the present. For you are a fighter and worker of Christ, having agreed to spend the whole day in the struggle and endure the heat of the whole day (Matthew 20). Why, without having yet fulfilled the measures of the day, do you seek peace? Wait until evening, the end of life here, and then the Householder will come and count out your payment. For when evening came, the lord of the grapes said to his steward: “Call the laborers and give them a reward” (Matthew 20:8), and not at noon, not at the beginning of the hiring. Therefore, wait until the end of life and then you will receive your reward worthily; now love the last place, so that then you can receive the first. You might be interested in: