XX. EXERCISE
On the right use of wealth.
Most useful for the rich in this world, that they may have this woe to the rich changed into the beatitude of the poor.
Read, O ye rich, and understand.
O most bountiful God, to whom the world with its fulness belongs, who hast no need of our goods, but distributest thy goods so largely to us; I acknowledge, that from thy bountiful hand I received those goods that I have.
But are they really goods? Tell me, I beseech thee, O good Jesus, eternal Truth, why these words of thine wound and disquiet me, Woe to you that are rich, for you have your consolation;[1] and testifiest of the rich man that lie received good things in his lifetime, but in the end was buried in hell?
Is it thus that we glory in these good things, and call those who have them happy, though thou, the eternal Truth, denouncest to them Woe ? Nay, more: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again, It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Are these things true? Yes, most true indeed, for they are the words of the eternal Truth. How, then, is it that we call them goods, and with so much anxiety try to procure them? Is it that they will make their possessors good, and more acceptable to thee, the highest Good? But I hear that it is not the rich, but the poor, whom thou hast chosen in this world.[2] And If thou be rich, thou shalt not be free from sin [3] And again. They that will become rich fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which plunge men into perdition.[4]
But they help us, perhaps, to serve thee more easily. Yet I hear, You cannot serve God and Mammon;[5] and again, He that loves gold shall not be justified,[6] for there is not a more wicked thing than to love money;[7] and again, Blessed is the man that has not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money, nor in treasures.[8] The poor in spirit, too, thou pronouncest blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.[9]
Oh, voice of the Lord, that breakest the cedars, and discoverest the thick woods! Do I believe this, O my God? Do I truly believe thee, O eternal
