St. Barsanuphius the Great and St. John the Prophet: Letters to Laypeople on Almsgiving

LETTER 617

A Christ-loving layperson asked the Other Old Man, John: “I implore you, father, clarify this for me, too, so that I may depart joyfully. Since my thought tells me to offer some alms from my possessions, what is more beneficial for me to do? Should I give things away gradually, or should I give them away all at once?”

Response by John: Brother, even if I am not capable of responding to you as I should, yet you heed the counsel of Scripture: “Do not say: ‘Go, and come back again tomorrow, I will give it,’ when you can give it now. For you do not know what the morrow will bring.” Moreover, there are particular measures, and each person acts according to his own measure. For one person is able to give away only some of his income, while another person will tithe his fruits or else give away one quarter, or a third, or even half; each one gives according to his own measure. If anyone wants to come to the measure of perfection, then that person should not ask me, the least of all, but rather should ask the teacher and healer of souls, Jesus the Lord, who said to that rich man: “If you wish to be perfect, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

The advent of death also strengthens your thought; for it is concealed from all people. Therefore, let us strive to do what is good before we are seized at the hour of death—for we do not know on what day we shall be called—lest we be found unprepared and be shut out with the five foolish virgins, who did not take oil in their flasks with their lamps. Let us do our best according to our weakness, and the Master of all is good; he shall lead us with the wise virgins into his wedding-chamber and into the ineffable joy that is with Christ. Amen.

LETTER 618

A brother asked the same Old Man whether he should receive money from others in order to give to the poor; for some people were actually requesting this. Response by John.

Since we are on the subject of almsgiving, not everyone can bear the application of this virtue, but only those who have reached stillness and mourning for their own sins. For there are some who commit themselves to such a service, and God knows what to do with them in this regard. Those who mourn [i.e., the monks], however, are not preoccupied with this. Indeed, how is it possible, when they have renounced their own possessions, for them also to manage the possessions of others? This is what the holy Hilarion did. For when someone entreated him to accept a large amount of money and distribute this [to the poor], he said to that person: “You should be distributing your own money; for you are the one traveling from city to city, and so you are more familiar with the towns. Whereas I, who have left behind even my own property, cannot possibly accept the property of someone else to distribute it. After all, this can give rise to an excuse for vainglory or avarice.”

 

LETTER 619

Question: “If the one who is proposing this insists by saying: ‘If you do not accept the money and distribute it [to the poor], then I will offer nothing,’ should I allow the poor to suffer hunger?” Response.

As I told your love, there are some who have committed themselves to this kind of service. If, however, you want to mourn for your sins, do not pay any attention to this matter, even if you see someone dying in front of your very cell. Do not take part in the distribution of another person’s possessions and be distracted from your mourning. Nevertheless, the owner of the property should distribute the goods himself, if he cannot find someone else to perform this service for him, so that in this way the work is not hindered.

LETTER 620

A Christ-loving layperson asked the same Old Man: “If someone is asked to give alms but has nothing to give, is that person obliged to borrow in order to give?” Response.

If one is asked to give something that one does not have, then there is no need to borrow in order to give. For even the Apostle Peter was asked to give alms and responded: “I have no silver or gold”; and he did not borrow any money in order to give some. Indeed, even if one only has the bare necessities, then again there is no need to spend it all, so that he may not later miss it or be afflicted by its absence. Moreover, if the person from whom alms are demanded says to the person making the request: “Forgive me, but I have nothing to give you,” then this is not a lie. For someone who has nothing beyond what is necessary does not have anything to give to another person. He should simply say to the person who is asking: “Forgive me, but I only have what I need myself.” Remember the five bridesmaids who asked the others to give them oil for their lamps; the latter replied: “There will not be enough for us and for you.” And the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians: “May your abundance be for their need,” as well as: “I do not intend that there should be relief for others and pressure on you.”

LETTER 621

Question from the same person to the same [Old Man]: “Father, tell me what you meant when you said: ‘If someone only has the bare necessities, then there is no need to spend it all, in order not to be afflicted.’ How is it possible for someone to be afflicted when one does something voluntarily?” Response by John.

One should always do everything with discernment. To know one’s limits is discernment as well as security of thought, in order not to be troubled later. Doing anything beyond one’s measure, whether this be almsgiving or anything else, is lack of discernment. For later this brings one to turmoil, despondency, and murmuring. So it is a good thing, indeed a very good thing, to give like the widow to anyone who asks; there is nothing wrong with this. But as for a person giving more than one can possibly bear, even God only asks for what one can give.

LETTER 622

Question: “So are you saying that someone who is wealthy and has more than the bare necessities does not require this discernment? After all, that person is also acting according to his ability.” Response.

No, such a person, too, requires discernment, in order not to be found to act beyond the ability of his thought and then regret what he has done. This is why Paul also said: “Do not give out of reluctance or necessity; for God loves a joyful giver.” Indeed, the perfect measures are for the perfect, and the lesser measures are for the lesser. The perfect person bears even poverty with courage, scorning wealth and bearing everything calmly, according to the Apostle: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and: “For me, the world has been crucified,” and so on.

LETTER 623

Question: “What should someone do in order to become accustomed to giving alms, if from the outset one does not actually enjoy giving at all?” Response.

That person should remind himself how God will reward those who give, and should begin with small things, always advising himself that one who gives little will receive little, whereas one who gives much will also receive much, according to the words: “The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” And, from the little, the thought is gradually moved to desire the bountiful reward, thus always progressing toward perfection. Such a person can reach perfect measures, in order to render oneself naked of all earthly things and to become one in spirit with the heavenly things.

LETTER 624

Question from the same person to the same [Old Man]: “If someone is solicited on all sides to spend all of one’s possessions in almsgiving, and then the same person regrets doing so, how can one be consoled in order not to be consumed by such demonic sorrow?” Response.

First, that person should blame himself for lack of discernment, and recall his thought from sorrow, saying: “Since I have spent all my belongings on a good thing, the kind and loving God is able to have mercy on me and arrange my affairs, too, according to his will.”

LETTER 625

Question: “If there happen to be two poor persons, and I do not have enough money for both, which of the two should I prefer?” Response.

You should prefer the more vulnerable one.

LETTER 626

Question: “If I would like to give alms, but my thought has doubts about giving, what should I do?” Response.

Examine yourself, and if you find that you are doing this out of stinginess, then give something even a little beyond what you should have given, such as an additional small amount, and you will receive God’s mercy.

 

Source: Barsanuphius and John: Letters, Volume 2, translated by John Chryssavgis, Washington, D.C.: CUA Press, 2007, pp. 207-212.