Orthodoxy and Poverty
We are all called to work, and we are all called to prayer and almsgiving for the poor (just as we are all called to exhibit every virtue, regardless of “status”).
“There are two moral motives of labour: work to sustain oneself without being a burden for others and work to give to the needy.” Every able-bodied person is called to labour to fulfill these moral obligations. (BSC, VI. 4; Eph. 4:28, Mt. 5:16; James 2:17; 2 Thes. 3:10).
Being wealthy is more dangerous than being poor. Without romanticizing involuntary poverty, the Church provides far direr warnings about the great temptations of wealth.
Do not shun poverty and afflictions, these wings of buoyant prayer. (St. Nilus, The Philokalia, pp. 127-135)
In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it… For we accomplish [virtuous things] not by spending money but by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all. (St. John Chrysostom, On Wealth and Poverty).
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (Mt. 19:24)
Society has a special obligation toward the poor. Historically, this has been done through a combination of private and public (governmental) programs.
“Continuing on earth the service of Christ Who identified Himself with the destitute, the Church always comes out in defence of the voiceless and powerless. Therefore, she calls upon society to ensure the equitable distribution of the fruits of labour, in which the rich support the poor, the healthy the sick, the able-bodied the elderly. The spiritual welfare and survival of society are possible only if the effort to ensure life, health and minimal welfare for all citizens becomes an indisputable priority in distributing the material resources.” (BSC, VI. 6).
“In participating in government and political processes, the Orthodox laity are called to base their work on the norms of the gospel’s morality, the unity of justice and mercy (Ps. 85:10), the concern for the spiritual and material welfare of people, the love of the fatherland and the desire to transform the surrounding world according to the word of Christ.” (BSC, V. 3).
Christians are called to exercise discernment about how, when, and to what extent to use the government to fulfill moral objectives: “most decisions adopted and political actions taken tend to benefit only a part of society, while restricting or infringing upon the interests and wishes of others. Many such decisions and actions are stained with sin or connivance with sin. Precisely for this reason the Orthodox politician or statesman is required to be very sensitive spiritually and morally.” (ibid)
Both poverty and wealth bring temptations. These must be met through the traditional Christian disciplines of asceticism, prayer, and almsgiving. In addition to their shared obligations, the rich have a special obligation to support the poor; the poor have a special obligation to pray for the rich. Our society does not have the tools to find sanctification in either state, poverty or wealth, because it has turned away from godliness.
Sources:
- Bases of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church (BSC). Section VI. Labour and Its Fruits.
- St. John Chrysostom. On Wealth and Poverty. SVS Press. [homilies on the Parable of Lazarus]
- John. D. Jones “St. John Chrysostom and the Problem of Wealth” at www.incommunion.org.
- Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis “Wealth and Poverty in Christian Tradition” at orthodoxnotes.com
- Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers: poverty atwww.orthodox.net.
This was prepared for presentation to the Rhode Island Council of Churches “Faith and Order” Commission on Poverty. For an earlier presentation to the same group go here.
