Russia’s Patriarch Kirill, at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, delivered a timely sermon today on theologically appropriate economics. He explained that wealth is only justified when the person who owns it “is ready to give a significant part of his funds to those who are in need, who suffer.” With such a person, “God will be helping him to increase his material possessions,” while the people won’t envy those riches and won’t see their owner as “an enemy.… May God grant that our rich people [in Russia], who were born in an Orthodox country and many of whom have links with the Church, always understand this.”
However, lacking such an understanding, Kirill made clear, “is the way to Hell and there’s nothing else to say here.” He proceeded to cite Jesus’ words that “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven,” and added: “If a rich person is unable to see the suffering of a fellow human being and doesn’t help, it’s clearly a path away from God, away from Christ and His kingdom. The more money one has, the more responsibility rests on his shoulders for his Earthly existence.”
