Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 16:12

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

And who will give us "our own," when we deal unfaithfully with what is "another's," that is, with possessions? And they are "another's," since they are designated for the poor, and on the other hand, since we brought nothing into the world, but were born naked. Our portion is the heavenly and Divine wealth, for there is our dwelling (Phil. 3:20). Property and acquisition are foreign to man, who was created in the image of God, for nothing among them resembles him. …

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Riches are foreign to us, because they are something beyond nature, they are not born with us, and they do not pass away with us. But Christ is ours, because He is the life of man. Lastly, He came unto His own.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

And if you have not been faithful in what is another's, who will give you what is your own? The resources of this world are alien to us, meaning, situated outside of our nature. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we cannot take anything out of it. But our possession is the kingdom of heaven. Our life is Christ. Our wealth is the fruits of spiritual works. Of which Solomon says: The redemption of a man's soul is his own wealth (Proverbs XIII). …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

Nevertheless, because what is one's own is lost on account of what is another's, he therefore adds: And if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, through the due dispensation of earthly goods; whence the Gloss: "Whatever belongs to the world is alien to us, because it is beyond our nature." These are indeed called another's goods, because we can neither bring them with us nor take them away: First Timothy, last chapter: "We brought nothing into this world, and without doubt we can take nothing out of it"; and Job 1: …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 16 ↗