THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Do not assume that refraining from taking someone else's garments is sufficient. Your choice not to steal indicates merely that you have turned away from wickedness, but do not let that be where your journey ends in spiritual barrenness. Certainly, avoid taking what is not yours, but also strive to provide for those who are in need of clothing—this exemplifies a true rejection of evil and an embrace of goodness. You may wonder, "What benefit will I receive from this?" Yet the One to whom you extend your generosity assures you of His promise: He will bestow upon you eternal life. Offer to Him, and you will find peace without worry.
Do not assume that merely avoiding the act of stripping a man who is already clothed suffices. By refraining from undressing one who is covered, you have indeed turned away from evil; however, do not allow yourself to become unproductive and fade away. Instead, while you should not disrobe someone who is clothed, you must also refrain from leaving the naked without garments. This action represents a departure from wickedness and an embrace of goodwill. You may wonder, what reward will I receive from this? The one to whom you extend your help has already promised you a generous return. He will grant you everlasting life. Offer to Him without fear. Consider also the subsequent words: turn away from evil, do good, and you shall live eternally.
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And do not assume that your acts go unnoticed, nor believe that God will abandon you if, after assisting the needy, you suffer a loss or encounter sorrow from lost possessions, leading you to question the value of your good deeds. You might mistakenly convince yourself that God does not cherish those who perform righteous actions. From where does this discontent arise if not from frequently expressed sentiments? Each of you is likely to recognize such murmurs either within yourselves or from those around you. May God eliminate these thoughts; may He remove the thorns from His land; may He sow good seeds and establish fruitful trees! Why are you, my friend, disheartened by having given one thing to the poor while suffering a loss of another? Do you not realize that what has truly been lost is what you did not share? Why do you not listen to the voice of your Creator? Where is your faith? Why does it lie dormant? Awaken it in your heart. Consider the exhortation from the Lord urging you towards such acts of goodness: Accumulate for yourselves resources that cannot decay; treasures in heaven that will not diminish, where no thief can approach. (Lk. 12:33) Keep this in mind as you mourn your losses. What do you grieve over, you short-sighted and foolish individual? What did you lose, if not that which you failed to lend to Me? Why did you experience this loss? Who took it from you? You might say: A thief. Is this not what I cautioned you against? Not to store what could be stolen? Therefore, if one who has lost something laments, let them grieve not for the loss itself but for failing to secure it where it could not be lost.