Source edition
Cyprian. Saint. S. Thasci Caecili Cypriani Opera omnia, Pars I (Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Volume 3.1). Hartel, Wilhelm von, editor. Vienna: Gerold, 1868.
Source data
Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a Christian treatise that expounds on the importance of almsgiving as a divine remedy to cleanse sins committed after baptism, earnestly urging believers to practice it. The author cites numerous examples and miracles of prophets and apostles from both the Old and New Testaments to demonstrate that the good deed of almsgiving has the immense power to atone for sins and even overcome bodily death. He refutes the excuses of wealthy believers who fear falling into poverty or use the support of their children as a pretext to avoid charity, presenting the self-sacrificing widows of the Bible as ultimate role models. Furthermore, he contrasts the pagans' lavish spending on vain worldly spectacles with the Christians' reluctance to give to Christ, warning of the final judgment where deeds of mercy are equated with serving Christ Himself. Ultimately, the treatise concludes by calling on the faithful to return to the communal spirit of the early Church and the equitable order of God's creation, tirelessly striving for good works in anticipation of eternal heavenly rewards.