On the feast of a martyr

The sermon of the blessed bishop Augustine on the feast of a martyr 

For your sake, for your sake, I endured my father s rage. I was beaten by my strict father and by merciless teachers for your sake. I ve spent absolutely everything I had for your sake for your sake I m now left without a penny. 

Look how often you say, for your sake But wasn t any of it done for yourself No Not only was nothing done for yourself, but everything was done for your sake . 

So put your money where you won t lose it. Before it s disappeared, store up treasure in heaven where no thief can enter and no moth will consume 

You will see them later on. But you will not see what you ve sent on. You have lent that out at interest. You have given away one sum a different sum will be repaid. You ve chosen to lend money to someone omn ipotent. He takes a little and he gives a lot. He accepts a small sum, he will repay a very large one. He created this earth for you. If you send him a few grains, you ll fill a granary. He created this earth for you. He created heaven and earth. Think what he will keep for you if you sow good deeds. 

---