Vigils Reading

JUSTICE AND THE WORD

From the treatise “The Educator” by St Clement of Alexandria

◊◊◊

On every occasion we ought to repeat that most excellent of maxims – the

good man by means of his temperateness and justice stores up treasure in

heaven. He who sells his worldly goods and gives to the poor will find the

imperishable treasure, where there is neither moth nor robber. Such a man is

fortunate indeed, though he be insignificant and weak and obscure, and he is

rich with the greatest of all riches.

On the other hand, if a person becomes wealthier than Midas and Cinyra,

but is arrogant and unjust, in the manner of the man who was luxuriously

clothed in purple and fine linen, and despised Lazarus, he is miserable, lives

wretchedly, and will never attain true life.

In fact, wealth seems to me to be like a snake, which will twist round the

hand and bite, unless one knows how to handle it without danger by the tip of

the tail. Likewise, riches whether wriggling in an experienced or inexperienced

grip are dexterous at clinging and biting, unless one rise above them and use

them skillfully – that is, so as to crush the creature by the charm of the Word,

thus remaining unharmed.

However, the one who possesses what is worth most turns out to be the

truly rich person, although perhaps not recognized as such. It is not jewels or

gold or clothing or bodily perfection that is worth much. It is simply virtue. For

it is the word given by the Educator to be put into practice. This is the Word who

adjures luxury but calls for independence in service of self, and praises frugality,

offspring of moderation. “Receive,” he says, “my instruction in preference to

silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. For Wisdom is better than corals,

and no choice possession can compare with her.” And again: “Acquire me rather

than gold, and precious stones, and silver; for my produce is better than choice

silver…

For “there are those who sow and reap more,” of whom it is written:

“Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever.” Hence, it is

not the one who has and keeps who is rich, but the one who has and gives away.

And it is the giving away rather than the possession which makes a person

happy; and the fruit of the Spirit is generosity. Thus, riches lie in the soul…

True riches, therefore, are justice and the Word, which is more valuable

than any treasure; they are not increased by cattle and fields but are given by

God. Such wealth cannot be taken away, for the soul alone is its treasure. It

constitutes the supreme possession for anyone who has it, rendering one truly

blessed. For the one who is able to refrain from desiring what is above one’s

power to obtain but then receives from God those most devout desires – such a

one possesses much, for that person has God as an everlasting treasure!