Admonition of the Lover of Money
March 1
(Account concerning John, Bishop of Jerusalem, how Epiphanios by wisdom took silver from him and distributed it as alms to the poor and needy.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
March 1
(Account concerning John, Bishop of Jerusalem, how Epiphanios by wisdom took silver from him and distributed it as alms to the poor and needy.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
A lover of money is the same as an idolater, for in both his mind and his heart there is nothing but money, and money becomes his idol. Therefore the Apostle also calls love of money idolatry, saying that covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5). This sin is one of the grave sins, and for it the Lord strictly punishes and brings lovers of money to their senses.
Once a certain deacon from Jerusalem came to Saint Epiphanios, Archbishop of Cyprus, and told him about John, Bishop of Jerusalem — that, out of love of money, he stored up wealth and gave no alms to the poor. Hearing this, Epiphanios sent John a letter exhorting him to show mercy to the poor; but John paid no attention to the message.
Many years passed. Then one day Epiphanios said to one of his disciples:
“Come, child, let us go to Jerusalem; we shall soon return from there.”
They arrived in Jerusalem, venerated the holy places, and afterward Epiphanios went to the bishop and said:
“Father, grant me lodging with you.”
John assigned Epiphanios a fine house and invited him daily to dine with him; yet he still showed no concern for the poor, and they murmured against him. Seeing this, Epiphanios said to the bishop:
“Father, give me some silver to distribute to the poor.”
John brought a large amount of silver. Epiphanios said:
“Give me still more.”
John replied:
“That is enough for you.”
Epiphanios continued:
“Well then, give me at least some servants for assistance.”
John did not refuse this either.
Then Epiphanios, having taken five hundred litrai of silver, began day and night to distribute it to those in need. After considerable time had passed, the bishop said to Epiphanios:
“When will you repay your debt to me?”
“Be patient a little, father; I will repay everything.”
More days passed, and John began insistently demanding his money. Seizing Epiphanios by the garment, he cried out:
“You shall not escape me, evil and cunning man! Return my silver!”
For two hours he shouted at Epiphanios and harassed him. All who were present, hearing such insolent reproaches against the archbishop, were filled with sorrow and fear.
At last Epiphanios brought the matter to its end: he breathed upon the face of Bishop John, and immediately John became blind, and terror seized all who stood by.
Then the bishop came to himself and, falling at Epiphanios’ feet, begged him to pray to God for him and restore his sight. Epiphanios said:
“Go to the church and pray before the honorable Cross to the Lord, that He may restore your sight.”
But the bishop would not leave Epiphanios and continually asked his forgiveness. Moved with compassion, the holy archbishop laid his hands upon him, and the bishop’s right eye was opened.
Then the bishop begged also for the healing of his left eye. But Epiphanios said to him:
“This is not my work, child, but God’s. God closed your eye, and He Himself will open it; and He has given you this lesson in order to save you from love of money.”
After this, it is said, John became virtuous and merciful toward the poor.
Hearing this, let us — having food and clothing — be content with these (1 Tim. 6:8); otherwise, as the example of the greedy bishop shows, we too may fall under the wrath of God.
To avoid the passion of love of money, let us reflect that everything earthly — all gold and silver, indeed all the goods of this world — in a word, everything earthly must remain on this side of the grave. Only our deeds will remain, surviving us either for condemnation or for blessing, and only our deeds shall we carry upon the shoulders of our soul to the eternal judgment of God.
Finally, let us also remember what Saint Ambrose says:
“The earth receives men naked, as it brought them forth. It encloses no boundaries of possessions within the grave. The narrow tomb suffices alike for poor and rich; and the earth, which could not satisfy the living man’s greed, contains the whole rich man once he is dead. If you are rich and wish to be saved, give from your possessions to the poor” (From the book On Ahab). Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
