One thing they asked of us

One of my favorite sites, Internetmonk, has been publishing a series on pastors. Today’s post particularly impressed me for what they quoted. We often think of missions and evangelism as being basically (and some would say only) the preaching of the Word, the communication of the Gospel. But, when Saint Paul went to Jerusalem, there was actually a different request made of them.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. … But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do, (Galatians 2, NKJV)

There were two things that Saint Paul was asked to do. Actually, there was only one thing he was asked to remember, since it is clear that they did not need to remind Saint Paul to preach the Gospel. The only additional stricture they laid upon these new Apostles was one that is not heard at ordination services today, “remember the poor.” They did not speak about doctrine or ecclesiology or liturgy. This is not to say that they are not important. Saint Paul’s letters clearly show that all three were important to him. The debates in the Book of Acts show that they were important to the other Apostles as well. But, in terms of priorities, remembering the poor was of such high priority that the Apostles needed to make sure that this was not forgotten. Could you imagine what an ordination service would be like today if, in the middle of the Divine Liturgy, the bishop were to say to the candidate that part of his job as priest was to “remember the poor?”

That this was understood to be an important part of the Church is confirmed by men such as Martin Luther, who said:

As love and support are given to you, you in turn must render love and support to Christ in his needy ones.

In his commentary on Isaiah 58:7, Jean (John) Calvin wrote:

Uprightness and righteousness are divided into two parts: first, that we should injure nobody, and second, that we should bestow our wealth and abundance on the poor and needy. And these two ought to be joined together, for it is not enough to abstain from acts of injustice, if you refuse your assistance to the needy, nor will it be of much avail to render your aid to the needy, if at the same time you rob some of that which you bestow on others….

By commanding them to “break bread to the hungry” he intended to take away every excuse from covetous and greedy men, who allege that they have a right to keep possession of that which is their own. “This is mine, and therefore I may keep it for myself. Why should I make common property of that which God has given me?” He replies, “It is indeed yours, but on this condition, that you share it with the hungry and thirsty, not that you eat it yourself alone.” And indeed this is the dictate of common sense, that the hungry are deprived of their just right if their hunger is not relieved. That sad spectacle extorts compassion even from the cruel and barbarous.

Both Luther and Calvin were following the teachings of the Church. Below are a couple of quotes from the Early Church:

Share everything with your brother. Do not say, ‘It is private property.’ If you share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last, (The Didache, c. 90 AD)

…they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God, (Aristedes, early second century, Apology 15).

We who once took most pleasure in the means of increasing our wealth and property now bring what we have into a common fund and share with everyone in need, (Justin Martyr, 1st Apology 14).

And instead of the tithes which the law commanded, the Lord said to divide everything we have with the poor. And he said to love not only our neighbors but also our enemies, and to be givers and sharers not only with the good but also to be liberal givers toward those who take away our possessions.” – Saint Irenaeus, 130-200 AD (Against Heresies, Book IV, Chapter XIII, paragraph 3).

This is the Advent Season. This is a fasting season for the Eastern Orthodox. It is a season when all Christians, regardless of denomination or jurisdiction, are asked to have a giving spirit. So, this Advent Season, I ask you to have the same attitude as the Apostles. I ask you to remember the poor. Give to your favorite charity. Give and buy one gift less. Give, for with such sacrifices is God pleased.