Wealth and Poverty

Saint John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, defender of the poor, and history's greatest orator. His sermons, denouncing the abuses committed by great leaders, are highlighted in *On Riches and Poverty* .

Jesus made the impoverished the first beneficiaries of God's kingdom, and over time, they have been a constant concern of the Catholic Church. The social doctrine of early Christianity was condensed into two principles: first, the rich man's surplus is the poor man's necessities; and second, the one who possesses goods is merely their administrator, not their owner. Therefore, we understand why, upon being appointed bishop of Constantinople, Saint John Chrysostom's first act was to place all the Church's assets at the service of those most in need.

This edition of "Wealth and Poverty ," featuring the four famous sermons on poor Lazarus and the rich man, features an admirable introduction by Eduardo Moreira, who, by listening to his heart and the message of the Gospel, became a courageous defender of the poorest and a denouncer of the causes of inequality. It also features a foreword by Father Júlio Lancellotti, the pastor of the lost and homeless. He comments on the fate of modern-day Lazaruses, calls for love and solidarity with marginalized populations, and encourages questioning to build a more humane world.

In this book, Chrysostom draws on the biblical text and fundamental Christian values, conveying teachings that transcend the limits of religion and faith. He advocates for fraternal existence among all human beings, based on love and compassion. His words are relevant today and remain timeless.

Leonardo Boff, theologian, philosopher and retired professor of Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Ecology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

"Chrysostom's homilies were powerful, courageous, and explicitly denounced the abuses committed by political and religious leaders. It is no wonder that the 'golden mouth' [...] is considered by many, to this day, the greatest Christian preacher in history." – From the introduction by Eduardo Moreira

"The denunciation of perverse wealth must be constant, even if, as St. John Chrysostom says, the drunken rich in their taverns disregard our words. The tribunal of history will condemn those who promote inequality. The saint's words in his second sermon are striking: 'When Lazarus was nearby, the rich man used to ignore him. When he is far away, he calls out to him. The man whom he had not seen when he came and went, he now sees clearly, in the distance.' The judgment is severe, for the Doctor of the Church considers 'theft not to share one's possessions'; selfish attitudes are, therefore, deception and fraud." – From the preface by Father Júlio Lancellotti