Must a Christian work for the sake of others?

St. John Chrysostom says, “Say not, ‘It is impossible for me to induce others (to become Christians)’—for if you are a Christian, it is impossible but that it should be so … Do not insult God. To say, that the sun cannot shine, would be to insult Him: to say that a Christian cannot do good, is to insult God, and call Him a liar. For it is easier for the sun not to give heat, nor to shine, than for the Christian not to send forth light: it is easier for the light to be darkness, than for this to be so … Nothing is more frigid than a Christian, who cares not for the salvation of others. You cannot here plead poverty: for she that cast down the two mites, shall be your accuser (Luke 21:1). And Peter said, ‘Silver and gold have I none’ (Acts 3:6). And Paul was so poor, that he often hungered, and wanted necessary food. You cannot plead lowness of birth: for they too were ignoble men, and of ignoble parents. You cannot allege

1022 “The Didache” in Staniforth, Maxwell, and Andrew Louth, eds. Early Christian Writings (Penguin Classics, 1987) 12: p. 196.

1023 Origen of Alexandria, Homilies on Genesis 4.1 (FOTC 71:104).

1024 St. Clement of Rome, Two Epistles on Virginity 2.14 (ANF 8:65).

1025 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) 1.12 (ANF 2:234–235).

1026 “The Didache” in Staniforth, Maxwell, and Andrew Louth, eds. Early Christian Writings (Penguin Classics, 1987) 13: p. 196.

1027 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on John 36 (FOTC 33:355, 357, 358).

want of education: for they too were unlearned men (Acts 4:13). Even if you be a slave therefore and a runaway slave, you can perform your part: for such was Onesimus … You cannot plead infirmity: for such was Timothy, having often infirmities.”¹⁰²⁸