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Explanation for:
Matthew
10
:
9
Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Why is there a necessity to assist a wealthy individual? Is it primarily because he might be more inclined to offer a reward to someone who shows him love? - It is common for us to feel inclined towards those whom we presume will express gratitude toward us. Therefore, it is even more crucial that we attend to the needs of the vulnerable and impoverished, for it is with the poor that we can have faith that the Lord Jesus will recompense our kindness. He has provided us with a model of virtue that is applicable to all righteous deeds, specifically indicating that we should extend our generosity towards those unable to return it. He directs us to host gatherings not for the affluent, but for the needy. We often invite the rich in anticipation of reciprocation; however, the impoverished, who cannot repay our kindness, have the Lord Himself as their rewarder, having willingly embraced the plight of the destitute. \\n\\nIn our current experience, the gratitude of the poor is typically more fulfilling than that of the rich, who often turn down favors and feel embarrassed by indebtedness. The wealthy tend to attribute gifts to their own worthiness, taking them for granted or believing they are given merely to solicit further favors from them. Consequently, when the rich accept assistance, they may feel they have given more than they have received simply by the act of acceptance. Conversely, a poor person, lacking means to reciprocate, returns kindness with heartfelt gratitude. Indeed, he gives more than he receives, for financial gifts are limited, while gratitude is boundless. Financial gifts may run out, but genuine thankfulness, when expressed, remains intact and does not diminish. \\n\\nUnlike the wealthy who shun obligations, the poor recognize their indebtedness and do not view the help they receive as a reflection of their own status. They even perceive blessings such as the gift of children, the preservation of life, and the support of family as favors. How much nobler it is to confer blessings upon those who are virtuous rather than upon the ungrateful! This is why the Lord instructed His disciples: ‘Take with you neither gold, nor silver, nor money,’ indicating a desire to uproot the selfish tendencies found in human hearts. Likewise, Peter said to the man lame from birth, who was regularly brought to the temple’s entrance: ‘Silver and gold I have neither, but what I have, I give thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk’ (Acts 3:6). Thus, he offered health rather than wealth. How far superior it is to possess health without riches than riches without health! The lame man stood up unexpectedly, though he did not receive the monetary aid he had anticipated. It cannot be said, though, that the saints of the Lord generally dismiss wealth."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"“Do not covet gold,” he warns, lest the fate that befell Achan (Num. 7:1-26), which caused Judah to suffer, should also befall you and as Gheziah was afflicted with leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27) and as the entire nation fell into corruption in the wilderness (Ex. 32:1-7). He also prohibited silver, taking it away from them, to ensure they were recognized as messengers of the Gospel rather than traders."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He continually imparts these instructions to the messengers of the Gospel, reminding them of the principle: \\"Freely ye have received, freely give.\\" Should they proclaim the message without seeking compensation, the ownership of gold, silver, or money would become irrelevant. Possessing such wealth might suggest that their ministry is driven by personal gain rather than the salvation of souls. Likewise, they are not to carry even a copper coin. By renouncing material riches, one simultaneously tends to dismiss the concern for life's basic needs. Therefore, the apostles, as champions of the true faith who taught that all things are guided by God's Providence, were required to exemplify a complete disregard for future concerns."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In an act of swiftly eliminating the root of evil, He instructs, “Do not take with you…” (He refrains from saying, “Do not take it with you;” rather, He advises to shun this harmful affliction even if it must be left behind elsewhere). Through these actions, He accomplished multiple goals. Firstly, He removed all doubts from His disciples; secondly, He liberated them from worldly concerns, so they could focus solely on proclaiming the Gospel; and thirdly, He demonstrated His divine authority. This is reflected in His later question to them, “Did you lack anything when I sent you without garments and without shoes?” He did not abruptly instruct them, “Do not have possessions;” instead, He first directed them to “cleanse the lepers, cast out demons,” and subsequently commanded, “Do not possess anything; you will receive what you need, and you will give what is necessary.” He guided them towards actions that were fitting and attainable. One might ponder why He did not instruct them to carry a purse, extra clothing, a staff, or footwear during their journeys. The answer lies in His intent to train them in simplicity, as He previously urged them not to worry even about the morrow. He was preparing them to serve as teachers to all nations; therefore, He transformed them from ordinary men into His messengers, liberating them from all earthly distractions, urging them to focus solely on their mission. More aptly, He relieved them of such worries by saying, “Do not be anxious about how or what you will say” (Matthew 10:19), thereby making what seemed daunting and burdensome much easier and more manageable for them."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"It prepares them for all forms of self-discipline. By steering them away from indulgence and granting them perfect peace, it even prevents them from embracing the burden of chastisement. This exemplifies true generosity, encouraging them to place their faith in He who instructs on the nature of selflessness."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Encouraging a sense of nostalgia, He instructs them not to take anything along for their journey. It was customary for travelers to carry pouches for their money attached to their belts. He teaches His disciples to embrace complete simplicity, desiring them not only to avoid raising suspicions but to inspire wonder instead. A humble and satisfied existence generates the greatest awe. By relieving them of worldly concerns, which can hinder their mission, He aims to demonstrate His providence, which is adequate for all their needs. Consequently, He later remarked, \\"When I sent you without purse and without scrip... the food of which you were deprived\\" (Luke 22:35). The Savior made this statement to the Apostles to dissuade them from hoarding supplies under the guise of preparation. Hence, He desires that we possess neither gold, silver, nor brass, nor bread, nor purse, and that we take no shoes, clothing, staffs, or money in our belts while traveling, whether for practical use or out of a desire for wealth. We should not wear two garments but should journey with readiness and frugality. He Himself carried the bag, not out of greed, but to manage the resources He utilized for Himself, His disciples, and those in need."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To safeguard the hearts of His disciples from the influences of greed and the distractions of earthly concerns, which often accompany material wealth, the Lord instructed them: DO NOT BELIEVE, do not gather, do not carry any gold, silver, or copper in your belts."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Around their waists\\": the belt, commonly worn to secure loose-fitting garments as per Eastern tradition, functions (and continues to function) as a means for carrying money, designed to be hollow inside. \\"Do not take with you,\\" etc.: \\"Through this, He achieved several important objectives. First, He alleviated any doubts among His disciples; second, He liberated them from all concerns, enabling them to focus solely on proclaiming the Gospel; third, He demonstrated His authority; for this reason, He later asked them, 'Did you lack anything when I sent you without supplies and footwear?'\\""},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When Jesus Christ gave guidance to the apostles, He anticipated that worries regarding sustenance, attire, and housing might divert them from their mission of preaching. Thus, He instructed them, \\"Do not take with you gold, silver, or copper in your belts, nor a bag for the road, nor two garments, nor shoes, nor a staff. For you are going to preach about the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven and to teach your hearers how to enter this Kingdom; you will have much work to do, much hardship for the benefit of your neighbours, and every worker is so worthy to receive everything he needs from those for whom he works: he who works is worthy of sustenance.\\" It is important to note that not every laborer merits reward; for instance, a thief unlawfully enters someone else's property to steal, and a swindler may misrepresent the truth for personal gain. Such actions warrant a different kind of recompense than that which Jesus referred to. Only those who genuinely practice the commandment of love for their neighbours can expect God's support in recognition of their efforts; they alone are deserving of provision. The Evangelists do not elaborate on the preaching endeavors of the Apostles among the Jewish people; however, from a question posed by Jesus to the Apostles upon their return—\\"Did you have need of anything when I sent you?\\" (cf. Luke 22:35)—it is clear that the Apostles, having taken no money, bread, or extra clothing, lacked for nothing essential."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Prior to their journey, the Savior provided guidance on how they should conduct themselves during their mission of preaching. Their focus was to be on the lost sheep of the house of Israel, refraining from reaching out to the Samaritans and Gentiles. The core message of their preaching was to emphasize the imminent arrival of the kingdom of heaven, supported by miraculous signs and acts of kindness. They were instructed to take nothing along with them—no bag for provisions, no money in their belts, no extra clothing, no shoes beyond their ordinary sandals made of palm bark, and no walking staff unless they already had one."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The apostles accepted the minimal offerings provided by the believers for their livelihood, which were given willingly and without pressure in gratitude for their preaching efforts. Consequently, the Lord instructed, ‘You shall not lay up gold, nor silver, nor brass at your girdles, nor feasts, nor bread, nor two garments, nor boots to spare, nor a rod: for worthy is the worker of his wages. Released from material worries, they were even more enthusiastic in dedicating themselves to the mission assigned to them."}]}
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