8 THE TREATISES OF CYPRIAN. your righteousness,thatin allthingsye may he enriched."1 And again: " The administrationof thisserviceshallnot only supply the wants of the saints,but shallbe abundant also by many thanksgivingsunto God;"2 because,while thanks are directedto God for our almsgivingsand labours, by the prayer of the poor,thewealth of the doer isincreased by the retributionof God. And the Lord in the Gospel, alreadyconsideringthe heartsof men of thiskind,and with prescientvoice denouncing faithlessand unbelievingmen, bearswitness,and says: " Take no thought,saying,What shallwe eat? or, What shallwe drink? or,Wherewithal shallwe be clothed? For forthesethingsthe Gentilesseek. And your Father knoweth that ye have need of allthese things. Seek firstthe kingdom of God, and His righteous ness; and allthesethings shallbe added unto you."3 He saysthatallthese things shallbe added and given to them who seekthe kingdom and righteousnessof God. For the Lord says,thatwhen the day of judgment shallcome, those who have labouredin His church are admittedto receivethe kingdom. 10. You are afraidlestperchance your estateshouldfail, ifyou begin to act liberallyfrom it; and you do not know, miserableman that you are,that whileyou are fearinglest your familypropertyshould failyou, lifeitself,and salva tion,are failing; and whilstyou are anxiouslestany of your wealth should be diminished,you do not seethat you your selfare being diminished,in that you are a loverof mam mon more than of your own soul; and while you fear,lest forthe sake of yourself,you shouldloseyour patrimony,you yourselfare perishingforthe sake of your patrimony. And thereforethe apostlewellexclaims,and says: " We brought nothingintothisworld,neitherindeed can we carryanything out. Therefore,having food and clothing,letus therewith be content. For they who willbe richfallintotemptation and a snare,and intomany and hurtfuldesires,which drown a man in perditionand in destruction.For covetousnessisa rootof allevils,which some desiring,have made shipwreck 12 Cor.ix.10. 22 Cor.ix.12. 8Matt.vi.31-33.