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On Wealth and Poverty - 2nd edition
"On Wealth and Poverty - 2nd Edition" by St. John Chrysostom is a profound exploration of Christian ethics and social responsibility. In this work, Chrysostom addresses the ethical implications of wealth and poverty, emphasizing the Christian duty to care for the less fortunate and to use wealth for the common good. His teachings challenge materialism and advocate for generosity, justice, and compassion. This edition includes insights relevant to contemporary issues of economic inequality and social justice, offering readers timeless wisdom on the Christian approach to wealth and poverty.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 26, 2026
Using the story of Lazarus and the rich man, St John’s homilies (over ~7 separate days) cover a Christian understanding of wealth and poverty on the path to the heaven. His particular space to grind is that people are going to “the races” and wasting a life on vanity and indulgence.
In some aspects, it did provide what I was hoping for at the outset with profound exposition on our call to live with a certain detachment from the luxury of the world when it prevents us from being in communion with others in poverty. However, there also were parts that seemed to advocate a sort of prosperity gospel message that I don’t find compatible in a contemporary context. My benefit of the doubt is guessing that the style of the message was more suited to St John’s context in the 4th century.
Speaking of which, the oratory style in the homilies is also just funny to a modern context. Some side tangents, audience needling, and outward deprecation that I can only guess were more rhetorical conventions of the time.
In some aspects, it did provide what I was hoping for at the outset with profound exposition on our call to live with a certain detachment from the luxury of the world when it prevents us from being in communion with others in poverty. However, there also were parts that seemed to advocate a sort of prosperity gospel message that I don’t find compatible in a contemporary context. My benefit of the doubt is guessing that the style of the message was more suited to St John’s context in the 4th century.
Speaking of which, the oratory style in the homilies is also just funny to a modern context. Some side tangents, audience needling, and outward deprecation that I can only guess were more rhetorical conventions of the time.
January 3, 2026
Excellent Exegesis
Very convicting homilies by St. John. I will say that the final two were an utter slog to read through. The introduction chapter gives the reason as to why. The scan, however, is horrible. There are not just a few typos, but entire sentences that are unreadable through the entirety of the work.
Very convicting homilies by St. John. I will say that the final two were an utter slog to read through. The introduction chapter gives the reason as to why. The scan, however, is horrible. There are not just a few typos, but entire sentences that are unreadable through the entirety of the work.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews