Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom514not we that begin first. For He has Himself already shown His mercy towards us: yet at least let usfollow second. For if men have mercy on a merciful man, even if he has done innumerable wrongs,much more does God.[8.] Hear the prophet saying, “But I” (his words are) “am like a fruitful olive tree in the houseof God.” ( Ps. lii. 8 .) Let us become such: let us become “as an olive tree”: let us be laden onevery side with the commandments. For it is not enough to be as an olive tree, but also to be fruitful.For there are persons who in doing alms give little, [only once] in the course of the whole year, orin each week, or who give away a mere chance matter. These are indeed olive trees, but not fruitfulones, but even withered. For because they show compassion they are olive trees, but because theydo it not liberally, they are not fruitful olive trees. But let us be fruitful.I have often said and I say now also: the greatness of the charity 3448 is not shown by the measureof what is given, but by the disposition of the giver. You know the case of the widow. It is wellcontinually to bring this example [forward], that not even the poor man may despair of himself,when he looks on her who threw in the two mites. Some contributed even hair in the fitting up ofthe temple, and not even these were rejected. ( Ex. xxxv. 23 .) But if when they had gold, theyhad brought hair, they [would have been] accursed: but if, having this only, they brought it, theywere accepted. For this cause Cain also was blamed, not because he offered worthless things, butbecause they were the most worthless he had. “Accursed” (it is said) “is he which hath a male, andsacrificeth unto God a corrupt thing.” ( Mal. i. 14 .) He did not speak absolutely, but, “he thathath” (he says) and spareth [it]. If then a man have nothing, he is freed from blame, or rather hehas a reward. For what is of less value than two farthings, or more worthless than hair? What thana pint of meal? But nevertheless these were approved equally with the calves and the gold. For “aman is accepted according to that he hath, not according to that he hath not.” ( 2 Cor. viii. 12 .)And, it says, “according as thy hand hath, do good.” ( Prov. iii. 27 .)Wherefore, I entreat you, let us readily empty out what we have for the poor. Even if it be littlewe shall receive the same reward with them who have cast the most; or rather, more than thosewho cast in ten thousand talents. If we do these things we shall obtain the unspeakable treasuresof God; if we not only hear, but practice also, if we do not praise [charity], but also show [it] byour deeds. Which may we all attain, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father togetherwith the Holy Ghost, be glory, might, honor, now and for ever and world without end. Amen.Homily XXXIII.Hebrews xii. 28, 293448ἐ λεημοσύνης744