THE FOUR BOOKS OF TIMOTHY TO THE CHURCH

No. 5     PRECARIUM

There is a set of Christians who use their property not for the gospel, not for their personal salvation, not for the service of God but, with a pride which is unholy and pagan, transfer their wealth to heirs who are irreligious OR already rich.  

The man who doubts that his worldly property comes from God does not belong to the human race.  He believes that God gave the world to men but not his small property to him.  The man who believes everything comes from God's bounty will use those things for His service.  

To use God's bounty to good use is to recognize the gift as coming from Him.  

God has given us only THE USE of our possessions.  We may use it but it is merely loaned to us by God.  We are tenants by precarium.  When we die, we leave everything behind.  We are only usufructuary tenants. . .so why do we behave as if we are the owners.  God is the only owner; we hold on to our property only as long as He allows us. 

Isn't it proper that when our property is taken away from us it reverts to Him who granted it for our use. Out of His bounty, God has allowed us to use His goods and allowed us to call them "our own" that we may have a greater reward when we return it.  

St. Salvian, Presbyter.

(04-19-04)