Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in the 4th Century. He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church. His ability to balance his theological convictions with his political connections made Basil a powerful advocate for the Nicene position.
In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. He is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity. He is considered a saint by the traditions of both Eastern and Western Christianity. (Wikipedia)
“For if we all took only what was necessary to satisfy our own needs, giving the rest to those who lack, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, and no one would be in need.” (I Will Tear Down My Barns – Basil the Great)
One of his chief concerns as Bishop was to motivate his fellow Christians to be generous and live holy lives of thankfulness expressed through acts of mercy, giving, and compassion…
This is an excerpt from his Sermon on Love…
“Take care that the destiny of the “wicked rich” is not yours. Their history has been written to help us avoid being like them. Therefore, imitate the earth: like it, you should bring forth fruit; do not show yourselves worse than something which has no soul. It is not for her own pleasure that the earth brings forth her fruits; it is for your service.
But you have this advantage, that the benefits of your benevolence will ultimately return to you; for benefactors always reap the reward of the good they have done. You have given to the poor; what you have given is returned to you with interest. The wheat, when it falls to the ground, produces for the sower. Similarly, the bread that you hive to the poor is a source of future profits. Therefore, may the end of labors be for you the beginning of celestial sowing: “Sow for yourselves righteousness,” says Scripture.
Why then torment yourself so much and make so many efforts to preserve your riches behind mortar and bricks? “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” You love money because of the consideration it procures for you. Think how much greater will be your renown if one can call you a parent, protector of thousands of children, rather than if you keep thousands of gold pieces hidden away.
Whether you like it or not, you will surely have to leave your money behind one day; on the contrary, the glory of all the good you have done will go with you before the sovereign Master, when an entire people will hasten to defend you before the Judge of all things, and will confer titles showing that you nourished and assisted them, and that you have been good.
One sees people throw their fortune to wrestlers, to comedians, to repugnant gladiators—and all this in theatres, for a moment’s glory, for the noisy acclamation of the people. And would you count the cost when you can elevate yourself to so great a glory? God will approve of you, the angels will acclaim you, and all who have lived since the creation of the world will celebrate your happiness: an imperishable glory, a crown of justice, the kingdom of heaven—such will be the prizes that you will receive.” (St. Basil the Great, from a Sermon on Love as translated by J. Robert Wright.)
In this harvest season, may we be faithful stewards of the gifts we have, for our God is a God of the living, not the dead who wants us to consider how we live out our lives in faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus.
Let us consider the first fruits we give to God out of thankfulness, let us also consider the gleanings we give from our blessings, so that all who are in need may be satisfied.
May we live in such a way that all are thankful for the life we live. Amen.
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