with humility, that so the rich man may remember that he receives much more than he gives. On this point St. Gregory thus speaks: "When he gives earthly goods, he would find it avail much in taming his pride, were he to remember and carefully ponder on the words of his heavenly Master: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail they may receive you into everlasting dwellings." If by their friendship we purchase everlasting dwellings, those that give should doubtless remember that they offer their gifts rather to patrons than to the poor."[1]
Fifthly, Our alms should be given abundantly, in proportion to our means: thus doth Tobias teach us that most generous alms-giver: " According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much, give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little, (chap. iv. 9.) And the apostle teaches that alms are to be given to obtain a benediction, and not with avarice. St. John Chrysostom adds: " Not merely to give, but to give abundantly, is almsdeeds." And in the same sermon he says again: "That those who wish to be heard by God when they say, Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy, ought to have
- ↑ (Lib, Moral, xxi. cap. 14.)
