CHAPTER VIII.
That the Brethren may not receive Money.
The Lord commanded His Apostles : ‘See that you keep yourselves from all malice and avarice, and from solicitude about the affairs of this world, and the cares of this life.’ Therefore let none of the Brethren, wherever they may be, or whithersoever they may go, take or receive money in any manner, nor cause it to be received, either for their clothing, or for books, or as the price of their labours, or, in short, for any reason, except the urgent necessities of the sick Brethren. For we ought to have no more esteem of money than of stones, and the devil seeks to blind those who desire or value it. Let us therefore take care, lest, after having renounced all things, we lose the kingdom of heaven for so small a matter. If we should chance to find money in any place, let us no more regard it than the dust we tread under our feet, for it is ‘ vanity of vanities, and all vanity/ And if perchance, which God forbid, any religious should have or procure money, except, as before said, for the necessities of the sick, the Brethren shall hold him for a false Brother, a thief, a robber, and one having a purse, unless he become truly penitent And let the Brethren in nowise receive money, nor cause it to be received, seek it, nor cause it to be sought, for any houses or places, nor let them go with men that seek it for them. But in the places where they are, the Brethren may perform other services which are not contrary to our Rule, with the blessing of God. Nevertheless, in case of manifest necessity, the Brethren may ask alms for the lepers ; but let them be very wary of money, and let them likewise take great heed not to search the world for filthy lucre.