It belongs to Christian piety, most beloved, that the things instituted by apostolic traditions be kept with persevering devotion. For those most blessed disciples of the truth commended this by divinely inspired teaching: that as often as the blindness of the pagans was more intent upon its superstitions, then especially should the people of God press on in prayers and works of piety. For the unclean spirits, as much as they rejoice in the error of the heathen, so much are they worn down by the observance of the true religion, and the increases of righteousness burn the author of impiety. Lest his impious and profane devices should bring any pollution to hearts consecrated to the true God, the blessed teacher of the gentiles took precaution, when he said with apostolic voice: 'Do not bear the yoke together with unbelievers.'
'For what participation has righteousness with iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?' (2 Cor. 6:14). And then he added the voice of the prophetic Spirit, saying: 'Go out, go out from their midst, and be separated, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing' (ibid. 17; Isa. 52:11). Wherefore, since for destroying the snares of the ancient enemy on the day when the impious served the devil under the name of their idols, the first collection was most providently instituted in the holy Church: we desire that your love should assemble on the third weekday (Tuesday), throughout all the churches of your regions, with voluntary offerings of alms. In which work, even if the means of all are not equal, the piety ought to be equal:
because the generosity of the faithful is weighed not by the weight of the gift, but by the measure of the good will. Let the poor also, therefore, have their gain in this commerce of mercy, and let them draw forth, from however small a substance, for the sustenance of the needy something that does not grieve them. Let the rich man be more abundant in his gift, provided the poor man be not inferior in his spirit. For although a greater return is hoped for from a greater sowing, yet even from a slight seed a rich fruit of righteousness can come forth.
For our Judge is just and truthful, who defrauds no one of the reward of his merits. And therefore He wills that we should have care of the poor, so that in the examination of the future recompense He, Christ our God, may bestow upon the merciful the mercy which He has promised; He who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns unto ages of ages. Amen.