If you've ever wondered why God allows poverty to exist and the responsibility of the wealthy in ceasing it, then you will want to read these remarkably lucent sermons by St John Chrysostom.

The message of the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is brought home to every person in these six sermons of Chrysostom with clarity, insight into the human dilemma, compassion and judgment. He argues that the affluent rich are obligated to help the poor.

St John Chrysostom claims that those rich people who spend their wealth on themselves beyond caring for their family are actually stealing from the poor. Their wealth was a gift of God, and just like the servant with the single talent who buries it in the ground, God expects us to use our excess to relieve the pangs of want in others.

On Wealth and Poverty - St John Chrysostom