They did not agree. Clement of Alexandria, Lactantius and 5 others would say yes to the statement below. Basil the Great and Jerome would say no.
The statement in the quiz
“There's nothing wrong with being rich, as long as you use it well.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
From your result on . See your result
7 early Christians
Your side
Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons Irenaeus agrees:
“For whatsoever we acquired from unrighteousness when we were heathen, we are proved righteous, when we have become believers, by applying it to the Lord's advantage.”
Against Heresies
Clement of Alexandria c. 150 to c. 215 · Alexandria Clement strongly agrees:
“Such an instrument is wealth. Are you able to make a right use of it? It is subservient to righteousness.”
Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
Cyprian of Carthage c. 200 to 258 · Carthage Cyprian agrees:
“Let the poor feel that you are wealthy; let the needy feel that you are rich.”
On the Dress of Virgins
Lactantius c. 250 to c. 325 · Nicomedia and Gaul Lactantius strongly agrees:
“For insolence and injustice being taken from the rich, it will make no difference whether some are rich and others poor, since they will be equal in spirit, and nothing but reverence towards God can produce this result.”
Divine Institutes
Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan Ambrose agrees:
“Let the rich learn that guilt attaches not to the goods themselves, but to those who know not how to use them.”
Exposition of the Gospel of Luke
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine strongly agrees:
“In this Scripture it is covetousness that is condemned, not gold, or silver, or riches, but covetousness.”
Sermons
Gregory the Great c. 540 to 604 · Rome Gregory the Great agrees.
On record in Morals on the Book of Job.
2 early Christians
Your side
Basil the Great c. 330 to 379 · Caesarea in Cappadocia Basil strongly disagrees:
“So the more you abound in wealth, the more you fall short in love.”
Homily to the Rich. Our translation
Jerome c. 347 to 420 · Rome and Bethlehem Jerome disagrees:
“So that common saying seems to me most true: a rich man is either unrighteous or the heir of an unrighteous man.”
Letter to Hedibia. Our translation
What they said
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.
