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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 304: If Relatives of Those Who Join the Brotherhood Want to Make a Gift, May We…
It is the Superior’s duty to look after this matter and decide. However—it is my private opinion—I think that it is more likely to avoid offence to the majority and more useful for the edifying of faith if such presents are refused. For if they are accepted it often happens that reproaches are levelled against the community. Secondly, because it affords an excuse for pride to the relative of those who make the gift. Further because what the apostle says concerning those who eat and drink their own supplies in front of the community would apply here: ‘Ye put them to shame that have not ’2; and there are many similar passages. D But as there are such great opportunities for sin it is good not to accept such gifts; but we may allow the Superior to decide both from whom they should be accepted and how they ought to be dispensed.3
Notes
- Cf. B. 85, 92, 305.
- Cor. xi. 22.
- Cassian (Inst. iv. 4) speaks similarly of dangers, without leaving it to the Superior’s discretion to accept if he thinks fit.