EVERYTHING WE NEED IS FREE

The essentials of life--air, water, fire, sunshine--are given to us freely by God to be enjoyed. The sun shines on all, rich and poor. God sees to it that nobody can possess these things, otherwise, the rich in their greed would take control of these. Imagine if you have a monopoly of the air. 

But money is not meant by God to be given freely to all, but merely as an instrument to lead us to the path of virtue; others, usually those who cannot suffer, need money to attain virtue. 

If money were available to all, like the air and sunshine, there would not be opportunity for the rich to practice generosity nor for the poor to be grateful. 

St. John Chrysostom

(updated 07-02-02)