Prologue in Sermons: April 28

 

 

To Those Who Trade

April 28

(A word from the the Leimonarion about a monk who sold head coverings.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

There are honest merchants who have in their hearts the fear of God and therefore do not deceive buyers, and who trade only for their livelihood. And there are dishonest merchants, people of gain, who think only of one thing — how to deceive those who buy. For the correction of the latter we propose the following account.

In Sinai Alexandria, once, before the door of a certain house, passersby saw an elder who was selling his handiwork. One of them, who knew the elder, said to those walking with him: “I have heard that this elder is a man of God and never bargains with anyone, but sells his goods for whatever price is given to him. Let us go and find out whether this is true.” They went, and approaching the elder, asked him: “Do you sell this?” He answered: “I sell it.” — “And how much do you ask?” — “Ten coins,” replied the elder. — “You ask too much,” said the passersby, “take four coins.” The elder said: “Well then, take it.” — “No, that is still too much. Take one coin each.” — “Well then, take it even for that price.” And so they, giving him a few coins, took his handiwork and went away; and the elder, taking his staff, went to his hut. The passersby caught up with him and said: “Elder, what have you done?” — “And what have I done?” asked the elder. — “Why, you first asked ten coins for each piece, and then gave it for the price we set — four coins. And when we offered you only one coin, you agreed to that also. Why do you act so?” — “I have such a custom: first I set my price, and then I take what they give.” The passersby asked his forgiveness and fell at his feet.

So, brethren, here is also a lesson for you from this account. The elder, a poor man, having the fear of God in his heart, as one might say, shared with the buyers even the last piece of his bread. But you, often having wealth, are ready to squeeze from the buyer his last strength. Is this good? No, dishonest merchants, this is not good. For “an abomination to the Lord,” says the word of God, “is everyone who does such things, everyone who commits unrighteousness.” Therefore be honest in trade from now on, and abandon every deceit and injustice, and then the Lord will also show you His mercy. “A true and just measure shall you have,” we read in Scripture, “that your days may be many upon the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance” (Deut. 25:13–15). Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.