August: Day 8: Saint Myron, Bishop of Crete

 

August: Day 8:
Saint Myron, Bishop of Crete
 
(How Should We Conduct Ourselves in Relation to Earthly Goods?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Myron, a farmer by profession, whose memory is celebrated today, was born and lived on the island of Crete and glorified his modest life with such high holiness that even during his lifetime he was honored by God with the gift of miracles.

At first he was poor, but by diligently working on the cultivation of the land, he acquired prosperity, which he treated as befits a true Christian: using only what was necessary for himself and his family, he distributed all the surplus of the harvest, with which God blessed his labors, to the poor, and he shared with them in full measure, never demanding a return. The extreme non-covetousness of the righteous worker was expressed, among other things, in the following case: he once found thieves in his threshing floor, who, having filled their sacks with stolen grain, were unable to lift this weight themselves. Saint Myron addressed the thieves with meekness, calmed them down and even helped them lift the sacks. By this act he won over these people to himself and directed them to the honest path. In general, for his piety and philanthropy he acquired such love and respect that he was elected a presbyter and then awarded the highest degree of priesthood, i.e., the episcopate, and served as a priest for a long time during the persecution of Decius, spreading his philanthropic and educational activities more and more. Thus, he lived to a ripe old age and died at the age of one hundred, around the year 350, having marked his life with great philanthropy and many miracles. He zealously taught his flock piety, strengthened the confessors of the Christian faith in the feat of suffering, and honored the memory of the martyrs who suffered during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Decius.

II. Saint Myron the Wonderworker, who was not attached to earthly goods, but used them in a Christian way - for the glory of God and for the benefit of his neighbors - teaches us to behave in a Christian way in relation to earthly goods.

Earthly goods and concerns about acquiring them can very easily be extremely dangerous for the salvation of our soul, because, using earthly goods, we very often forget about God and eternity.

So, how can a Christian position himself when seeking earthly blessings so that they do not hinder him from saving his soul?

a) Firstly, every Christian must firmly remember that one should not desire or seek earthly goods for any unlawful or merely vain, sensual, temporary purpose. Whoever seeks wealth in order to live in abundance, in sloth, in idleness, in indulgence, and so forth, is clearly acting against the salvation of their soul – they are sinning. Whoever desires wealth so that others will flatter him, respect him, praise him, exalt him, or fulfill every desire of his pride: that person is acting against the salvation of their soul - they are sinning. Whoever seeks and hoards wealth in order to satisfy their greed: that person is also acting against the salvation of their soul - they are sinning, for avarice is idolatry.

b) Secondly, a Christian should never rely much on earthly goods or wealth, nor should they attach their heart to them. One should not cling to earthly possessions with their heart because they do not, by themselves, provide us with a happy life. Observe people closely: you will see that the wealthy often live in constant and tormenting worry, in irritation, and in sickness. You will notice that many individuals who are quite poor or not well-off are cheerful, calm, and healthy. Moreover, if earthly goods genuinely granted us a happy life, then God, who loves all people immeasurably, would certainly not leave anyone in poverty, but would make everyone wealthy. Instead, He denies earthly wealth to the vast majority of people, especially to those who are devoted to Him with all their hearts and are His beloved. All the early followers of the Holy Apostles were poor; the Apostles themselves were very poor; the Mother of God was exceedingly poor, and the Lord Jesus Christ had nowhere to lay His head.

c) Therefore, thirdly, when a Christian prays to God for earthly goods, he should never pray for them unconditionally, but with a condition. This is because poverty is often much more salvific for us than wealth; and excess, as experience shows, often leads us to forgetfulness of God, to cruelty, to luxury, to debauchery, to drunkenness, to pride and arrogance. Thus, a Christian, while praying to God for earthly goods, should always ask for them only if it pleases Him, and if it does not hinder his salvation. All truly pious and devoted people pray mostly thus: "Lord God! You know that earthly abundance often serves to our spiritual distress. Therefore, deny us these goods, but grant us to live better in poverty, so that we may constantly remember You and turn to You in our needs!"

d) Furthermore, it goes without saying that a Christian should never use unjust or sinful means to acquire earthly goods, for all that is gained unjustly is contrary to God and must be returned to its rightful owner. One must remember that thieves, that is, those who steal from others, shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. One should always bear in mind that what is gained unjustly, being devoid of God's blessing, will bring not happiness and joy, but misfortune and sorrow, complete disruption of prosperity, and even poverty.

e) Finally, a Christian, if God has provided him with earthly goods, must never forget that all earthly possessions do not belong to him, but are the property of God. For "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights," says the Holy Apostle (James 1:17). "What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not?" says another Holy Apostle (1 Corinthians 4:7). God gives us earthly goods so that we may use them for His works, for His glory, to provide for and to comfort those in need, and for our own true necessities. And whoever among us uses them for this purpose, while utilizing them, acquires for himself treasures in heaven.

III. So, brethren! Seek earthly goods, but do not resort to any unjust means, and certainly do not seek them above the salvation of your soul. In seeking earthly goods, never forget that all of them are perishable; therefore, do not rely on them, nor cling to them with your hearts. If God has bestowed upon you earthly goods, remember that these goods are not your own possession, but God's, and therefore you should not dispose of them at will, but use them for that which they are given to us by God, namely for our true needs, for acts of mercy and kindness, and to support true faith and to the glory of God. Amen. 

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.