St. Jerome: Empty Stomach Money Purse
on Saturday, June 19, 2010St. Jerome commented on Saint Marcella of Rome (325-410) that she preferred to do good with her wealth by helping the poor than save it to no good end.
“Preferring to store her money in the stomachs of the needy rather than hide it in a purse” — St. Jerome
St. Jerome was referring to giving money directly to those in need to help feed and care for themselves, rather than keeping wealth stored away unused. By “storing money in the stomachs of the needy”, he meant that it is better to directly help the poor by providing food, clothing, and other necessities they require to survive, rather than just accumulating wealth that does no good. In this way, the money is put to its intended use of aiding those who lack resources, by filling their stomachs and meeting their basic needs.
St. Jerome said that Marcella preferred helping the poor with her wealth rather than just saving money and not using it. He commented that she liked “storing her money in the stomachs of the needy rather than hide it in a purse.” This meant that Marcella felt it was better to directly help poor people by giving them money to buy food, rather than just keeping wealth stored away unused in a purse or savings. She believed in actively using her financial resources to assist those in poverty.
Birthday: 347 AD – Death September 30, 420 AD