Clement of Alexandria: Be freed from greed

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So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:11

“It is not scanty means that ever constitute poverty, but greed. The good [person], being free from this, will also be rich.”

Clement of Alexandria (150-215) E, 2.352, in A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, ed. David W. Bercot (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1998) 440.

My meetings in Egypt are going great. I love the Egyptian Christians as they are so deeply devoted to Christ, and of all the early church fathers, I would have loved to meet Clement of Alexandria in person.

Here Clement states plainly that poverty is not linked to the level of a person’s resources, but rather, whether or not they are free from greed, which enables them to possess true riches.

Greed tells us we need money. Those who are free know they need God and they only discover this by handling money following God’s design. We must not sugarcoat this. It’s really hard. It’s the hardest thing you will ever do, which is why Jesus is not condemning but sympathetic.

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23

As I move and interact in what many would say is a country filled with poverty, I am encountering many that, in God’s eyes, are actually quite rich. Additionally, I come from a country that most would say is full of rich people that I believe God would say are poor.

What’s the point for those who want to exhibit generosity?

We only find freedom and true riches through giving. It transforms us into people of trust. God does not need our money. We need to give it to be freed from greed. If we have money stored up on earth, our fund balances are evidence against us that we don’t understand the pathway to freedom and life.

Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

Jesus not condemn the rich, but He does warns those with wealth to be on guard. With Him, I am alerting everyone to take the pathway to true riches. Each person must decide to take it in order to show where they place their trust.

Give generously whatever you have and be freed from greed. You don’t find it’s the way to life and true riches until you take it.