On Wealth and Poverty
St. John Chrysostom
Summary
Six homilies on the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, offering some of the most powerful social teaching in all of Christianity on wealth, poverty, and justice.
Who Should Read This
Those interested in Christian social teaching, activists, anyone questioning the relationship between faith and economic justice.
Key Excerpts
"Not to share our wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth but theirs."
— Homily 2
"The rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever."
— Homily 1
Editorial Commentary
These homilies reveal the radical social dimension of Orthodox Christianity. Chrysostom is unsparing: 'Not to share our wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth but theirs.' These sermons challenge comfortable Christianity and remain prophetically relevant. SVS Press has an excellent translation.