Chapter VIII.
It is mentioned in the Gospel that the miserly person who is indifferent to the needs of others and prioritizes accumulating wealth is considered foolish and is despised. How much better it would be if money was distributed rather than hoarded, and how foolish it is for the wealthy to make excuses for not giving to the poor!
Then, O man, do you not know that the day of death comes before the birth of the earth, but mercy excludes the attack of death? Those who await your soul are already present, and you still delay the fruits of your works. Are you still measuring out long periods of life for yourself? Foolish one, tonight they will take your soul from you (Luke XII, 20). He rightly says 'tonight'; for the soul of the greedy is reclaimed at night: it begins in darkness and perseveres in darkness. For the greedy, night is always present; for the righteous, day, to whom it is said: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise' (Luke XXIII, 43). But a fool is like the moon that changes (Eccli. XXVII, 12): but the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matth. XIII, 43). It is rightly argued against foolishness, that he has placed his hope in eating and drinking. And therefore the time of death presses upon him, as it is said by those who serve their gluttony: Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die (Esai. XXII, 13). He is rightly called a fool, because he provides for his soul earthly things; because he hides what he should keep, he does not know.
And therefore it is said to him: What things soever thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? (Luke XII, 20) Why dost thou measure, and number, and seal up daily? Why dost thou sift gold, weigh silver? How much better is it to be a liberal dispenser, than a solicitous keeper! How much more profitable would it be for thee to be called the father of many orphans, than to have in thy purse numberless weights sealed up! For money indeed is here left behind: but the grace of good works is carried with us unto the judge of merit.
40. But perhaps you may say, as people often do, that we must not give to someone whom God has cursed, because he wants to be in need. But the poor are not cursed, for it is written: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). It is not about the poor, but about the rich that Scripture says: “He who withholds grain, the people will curse him” (Prov. 11:26). Furthermore, do not ask what each person deserves. Mercy is not accustomed to judge based on merits, but to help based on needs: to assist the poor, not to examine justice. For it is written: Blessed is he who understands the needs of the poor (Psalm 41:1). Who is the one who understands? The one who has compassion for those in need, who recognizes that both the rich and the poor are made by the Lord, who knows that he sanctifies his own fruits if he shares them with the poor. Therefore, when you have the means to do good, do not delay by saying: Tomorrow I will give; lest you lose the opportunity to be generous. Delaying the well-being of others is dangerous. It is possible that while you hesitate, they may die. It is better to preempt before death, lest greed hinder you today and promises be deceived tomorrow.