The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 243 -
A Memorable Example Of Charity
WHEN THE BURNED-OUT CITIZENS arrived at the villa, Joseph soon recognized that they were the same lords who had recently been his guests, and asked them,
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'Well, my greatly esteemed lords, what happened to your important business which only a little while ago caused you to hurry away so quickly?
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Was it that you set your city on fire?
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Or did it consist in quite another matter which has to be kept secret from me?'
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At this the burned-out citizens replied, 'Dear friend of humanity, do not examine us in our misery, for you can see that we are now out-and-out beggars!
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If you can assist us in any way then do so, and we will be your chattels for the rest of our lives!'
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And Joseph said: 'Only Rome's mighty patricians deal in slaves and chattels;
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but I deal only in brothers who are always equally my brothers, whether as lords or as beggars.
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Therefore I shall also assist you as best I can.
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But when you are settled on your property again, never undertake another such business as you planned to do today!
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For as much as it now hurts you that your servants and slaves have robbed you so basely and set your houses on fire,
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so it would have hurt me and still more, if you had done the same to me!'
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Thereupon Joseph went over to Cyrenius and asked him how much should be given these unfortunates at one time.
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And Cyrenius answered, 'Wait just a short time! My bearers, whom I sent aboard ship for my cash box, will soon be here.
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Once I am in possession of my larger cash box, we will see how much shall be allotted to those who are already here as well as those who will arrive.'
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In a short hour the messengers brought a thousand bags of gold and silver.
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And each pouch, which weighed ten pounds, was a mixture of two pounds of gold and eight pounds of silver.
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At this Cyrenius advised Joseph, 'You distribute these pouches among these burned-out citizens in such a manner that each receives one pouch.
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Then keep the remaining pouches in custody for those who will arrive later.
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But I do not want to be present at the distribution so I will not be recognized by all the people who will come here.
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Therefore I shall now go with Jonathan to his home and hope to see you in the evening.'
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Joseph agreed to this and promptly undertook the distribution with his sons; and Cyrenius secretly departed with all of his servants of state and with Jonathan.