3. Charity and Sharing of Goods.
Notably different, certainly, is the correct attitude from the human and Christian point of view, which Augustine reminded everyone: to give, distribute, share.
If you have money, share it, Do not give your hand rest from giving, Give as much as you can, and If you have a lot, give with more reason; if you have little, give what you can. -- Sermon 61: 3; Sermon 389: 1; Sermon 86: 17; Sermon 60: 6; Sermon 359A: 12
On the other hand, it is not simply a matter of giving from what is superfluous, but of really sharing what one has. The demanding attitude of Augustine is based on his peculiar and interesting form of understanding private property.
It is always in a relative sense, according to the whole tradition of the Doctors of the Church, and subject to the principle of the Common Good, as contemporary Catholic social teaching underscores.
God is the only absolute owner of everything. Only God can truly say, "This gold and silver are mine." Everyone other than God is a mere administrator of what God has given, and is truly entitled to possess only what one uses correctly. -- Sermon 50: 2
Augustine underlines that all that you have which is extra is needed by others, but what you have more than enough of is needed by poor people.
Augustine affirms clearly that You possess what belongs to others when you have more than enough for yourself and that it is a kind of thieft not to give to those in need what you have more than enough of. -- Sermon 39: 6; Sermon 61: 12; Com. to the Ps. 147: 12; Sermon 206: 10.
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