THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
As in a father’s house all the sons have equal honor, so they too were in the same condition. One could not say that they fed others. They were fed by what was their own.
The marvelous thing is this: having renounced what was their own, they were fed in such a way that they seemed no longer to be fed from what was their own, but from what was common.
They did not give one part and keep another for themselves. Even when they gave everything, they did not consider it their own.
They drove inequality out from their midst and lived in great abundance. Moreover, they did this with great honor.
Thus they did not dare merely to hand it into the Apostles’ hands, nor did they give arrogantly. They brought it to their feet and allowed them to be the stewards.
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They made the Apostles masters, so that expenses were now made as from a common property, and not as from private property. This also protected them from vainglory.
If it were so now, we would live with greater pleasure, both rich and poor. It would be pleasant for the poor and for the rich.
If you wish, let us depict this at least in words, since you do not wish to show it in deed. From this alone we shall already receive pleasure.
True, this is very clear also from what happened then. Those who sold did not become poor, but made the poor rich.
But let us now depict it in words. Let all sell everything they have and bring it into the common midst. I am speaking only in words. Let no one be troubled, neither rich nor poor.
How much gold do you think would be gathered? I suppose, though it is impossible to say precisely, that if all men and women brought their money here, the amount would be great.
If they also gave fields, estates, and dwellings, and I am not speaking of slaves, for they did not have them then, or perhaps they set them free, then probably a thousand thousand pounds of gold would be collected.
Or rather, even two and three times as much.
Tell me, indeed, how many inhabitants are there now in our city altogether? How many Christians do you think there are in it? Do you think there are a hundred thousand, while the rest are pagans and Jews?
How many thousands of gold would be collected? And how great is the number of the poor? I do not think there are more than fifty thousand.
How much would be needed to feed them every day? With common support and a common table, of course, no great expense would be required.
What then, they will say, shall we do when we have spent our resources? Do you really think one could ever come to this condition?
Would not the grace of God be a thousand times greater? Would not the grace of God be poured out abundantly?
And what then? Would we not make the earth heaven? If among three thousand and five thousand this was accomplished with such glory, and none of them complained of poverty, how much more would it be so among such a multitude?
Even among outsiders, what person would not make an offering?
To see that division is linked with losses and produces poverty, let us imagine a house in which there are ten children, a wife, and a husband. Let us say she spins yarn, while he receives income from outside.
Tell me, when will they spend more: when eating together and living in one house, or when divided? Obviously, when divided.
If the ten children wish to divide, then ten houses, ten tables, ten servants, and the same number of other necessities will be required.
And where there are many servants, do they not all have a common table precisely so that expenses may be smaller?
Division always produces loss, while oneness of mind and concord produce profit. In monasteries they now live as the faithful once lived. Has anyone died of hunger? On the contrary, who has not been satisfied with great abundance?
But now people fear this more than throwing themselves into the immeasurable and boundless sea. Yet if we made the trial, then we would dare this work.
And what grace there would be! At that time there were no faithful except only three thousand and five thousand. All throughout the world were enemies of the faith. From nowhere could they expect consolation.
Yet they approached this work so boldly. How much more is this possible now, when, by the grace of God, the faithful are everywhere throughout the world?
Would anyone then remain a pagan? I, at least, think no one would. Thus we would incline and draw everyone to ourselves.
However, if we go this way, then, I trust in God, this too will happen. Only obey me, and let us order matters in this way. If God prolongs our life, I am confident that we shall soon lead such a way of life.