On almsgiving the Elder said: "St. Dimitry of Rostov wrote: 'Even if a man comes to you on a horse and asks you for alms, give it to him. You will not have to answer for how he uses it.'"
Also: "St. John Chyrsostom says, 'Begin by giving away what you do not need, what is lying around unsued, to those who are in need. Then you will begin to give what you can according to your means, and finally you will be ready to give away all that you have.'"
--Elder Ambrose of Optina, p. 251
Posted by Clifton at March 16, 2004 07:11 AM | TrackBack