Since the style of this sermon—attributed to St Maximus in the Beneventan codex I, page 2—is far unlike the Maximian style, we number it among the spurious. We beg you, dearest ones, in your charity, that you would listen more attentively to what is said for your salvation. The order of Scripture is indeed set forth at length; but that you may hold at least a little in memory, we commend to you a few things out of many. The Lord says in the Gospel: Distribute all your tithing. He Himself speaks through the prophet: Bring in all the tithe into my storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and prove me herein, saith the Lord (Mal. 3). And in Exodus (chap. 23): The firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. The Apostle Paul says:
The sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law (Heb. 7)—that is, from their brethren; for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9). Solomon said: Some divide their own spoils and become richer; others seize what is not theirs and are always in want (Prov. 11). Jesus the son of Sirach said: In every gift make thy countenance cheerful, and in exultation sanctify thy tithes. Give to the Most High according to His gift, and with a good eye make the finding of thy hands, for the Lord is a rewarder, and will repay thee seven times as much (Ecclus. 35). Augustine said: For these tithes are the tributes of needy souls.
But if thou give the tithe, thou shalt not only receive an abundance of fruits, but shalt also obtain health of body. Tithes indeed are required as a debt: what if God should say: Surely thou art mine, O man; mine is the land which thou tillest, mine are the seeds which thou scatterest, mine the animals which thou wearest out, mine the sun's heat? And since all things are mine, thou who dost lend thy hands hast deserved the tithe alone; but keep for thyself the nine parts, give me the tenth; if thou give me the tenth, I will multiply the nine. Even the holy Fathers, before the law was given, took care to offer the tithe to God, as Abraham offered tithes of all his goods to Melchizedek; and Jacob said: If God shall be with me, of all things that thou shalt give me I will offer tithes to thee (Gen. 28).
Hence it is also said: Thou shalt not delay to offer thy tithes and firstfruits to the Lord (Exod. 22). Solomon also says: Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of thy fruits, that thy barns may be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall overflow with wine (Prov. 3). The Lord God has no need, He asks no reward, but honour; for our God, who deigned to give the whole, deigns to require back the tenth from us—destined without doubt to profit not Himself, but us. Whence He said through the prophet: Thou shalt not delay to offer me the firstfruits of thy threshing-floor and of thy winepress. If thou give too slowly, it is a sin: how much more not to have given at all. Of thy business, of thy craft, render the tithes.
Since by giving tithes thou canst earn both earthly and heavenly gifts, why through avarice art thou defrauded of the twofold blessing? For this is the Lord's most just custom: that if thou give Him not the tenth, thou shalt be reduced to the tenth. Wilt thou give to the impious soldier what thou wilt not give to the priest? God is always ready to do good, but is hindered by the malice of men. For tithes are required as a debt. And he who has refused to give them has invaded the property of others; and however many poor in the places where he dwells shall have died of hunger because he did not give the tithes, of so many homicides shall he appear guilty before the tribunal of the eternal Judge, because he kept for his own uses a thing entrusted by the Lord to the poor.
He therefore who desires either to procure a reward for himself, or to earn the pardon of his sins, having rendered his tithes, let him take care also to give alms out of the nine parts. So that of the nine parts, whatever remains over and above reasonable food and clothing, may not be kept for luxury nor for worldly gain, but be laid up in the heavenly treasures through almsgiving. For whatever God gives us more than is needful, He did not give specially to us, but transmitted it through us to be bestowed on others. These things, brethren, hear willingly according to your custom, and, with Christ the Lord aiding, strive to perform them.