The Treatises of Cyprian

In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver.” Also in Proverbs: “He who holds back the grain is cursed among the people; but blessing is on the head of him that communicates it.” Also in Isaiah: Woe unto them who join house to house, and lay field to field, that they may take away something from their neighbour. Will you dwell alone upon the earth? Also in Zephaniah: “They shall build houses, and shall not dwell in them; and they shall appoint vineyards, and shall not drink the wine of them, because the day of the Lord is near.” Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “For what does it profit a man to make a gain of the whole world, but that he should lose himself?” And again: “But the Lord said unto him, You fool, this night your soul is required of you.

Whose, then, shall those things be which you have provided?” And again: “Remember that you have received your good things in this life. and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is besought, and you grieve.” And in the Acts of the Apostles: “But Peter said unto him, Silver and gold indeed I have not; but what I have I give unto you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And, taking hold of his right hand, he lifted him up.” Also in the first to Timothy: “We brought nothing into this world, but neither can we take anything away.

Therefore, having maintenance and clothing, let us with these be content. But they who will become rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many and hurtful lusts, which drown man in perdition and destruction. For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some coveting, have made shipwreck from the faith, and have plunged themselves in many sorrows.”