Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 6:38

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

But the Apostle explains this when he says, He who sows sparingly, (that is, scantily, and with a niggardly hand,) shall also reap sparingly, (2 Cor. 6:9.) (that is, not abundantly,) and he who sows blessings, shall reap also blessings, that is, bountifully. But if a man has not, and performs not, he is not guilty. For a man is accepted in that which he has, not in that which he has not.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Polycarp of Smyrna

"Wherefore, girding up your loins," "serve the Lord in fear" and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and "believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory," and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. …

Epistle to the Philippians 2 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

But he says, shall they give, (Mat. 10:42.) because through the merits of those to whom they have given even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, shall they be thought worthy to receive a heavenly reward. It follows, For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. This is similar to what he says elsewhere: That they may receive you into eternal dwellings (Luke 16). For it is not the poor themselves, but Christ who will give the reward to those who have given alms. …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

As to the bestowal of goods, it is added: Give, and it shall be given to you, namely in the judgment, in which that passage of the last chapter of Proverbs shall be spoken: "Give her of the fruit of her hands," etc., because, Matthew 25, "to him who has, it shall be given, and he shall abound." For a man has with him only those things which he gave for God's sake, according to that passage of Sirach 17: "The alms of a man is as a purse with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye; and afterward it shall …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6 ↗