Leo the Great: Unfaithful and unjust

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Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed — and people praise you when you prosper — they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:16-20

“But those are unfaithful and even unjust to themselves, who do not want to have forever what they value worthy of their love. However much they add to their wealth, however much they store and accumulate, they will leave this world helpless and needy, as David the prophet said: “For when he dies he will take nothing away, nor shall his glory descend with him” [Psalm 49:17 (48:16 LXX)].

If any would be kind to their own souls, they should entrust their goods to Him who is a faithful trustee of the poor and a most generous payer of interest. But an unrighteous and shameless greed, which, pretending to offer benefit while it deceives them, does not trust God whose promise never fails, and yet trusts people who make such hasty bargain. While they regard the present more certain than the future, they often and deservedly find that the desire of the unjust gain is the cause of not an unjust loss.”

Leo the Great (c. 400-461) pope and doctor of the church, in Sermon 17.2 delivered 17 December 444, translated by Helen Rhee in Wealth and Poverty in Early Christianity (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2017) 146. This is the second to last post in a two-week sojourn through Rhee’s collection of early Christian writings. Thanks to all those who have expressed appreciation for this adventure in antiquity.

Rhee puts this sermon in context (xliv): “In the mid-440s Leo instituted a special collection for the poor as a united effort by the Christians in the city of Rome intended to counter an ostentatious pagan festival. This provides a context for his selected sermons. Leo followed Augustine in his basic orientation to wealth and accepted it as God’s good gift not to be shunned but to be used and managed well on behalf of the poor, through the church, to the spiritual interest of the possessor.”

The ancients collectively help us grasp what understanding must accompany riches. To hold them justly is to give generously to God’s workers for distribution to those in need, which is how we entrust goods to the only faithful Trustee and Payer of interest. To hold them any other way is to be unfaithful and unjust toward ourselves. To store and accumulate what God intends to be put in play is the desire for unjust gain. In plain terms, tilting the balance toward yourself, does not help you, it hurts you.

Be kind to your soul. Don’t shipwreck your faith, as the Apostle Paul put it (cf. 1 Timothy 6:9). Or, in the words of Jesu, don’t try to gain the whole world, and in so doing, lose your soul (cf. Mark 8:36). You who are good at earning wealth, become even better at distributing it. Who knows, perhaps God will heap even more in your coffers to dispense. If you get this profound idea and grasp your role as simply a manager for the Master, you will take hold of life in the economy of God.