Make alms and care for other people who are images of God, but never neglect the salvation of your soul. First enlighten yourself and then the others.
Do not think that with almsgiving you have completed your obligations to God. It takes a great struggle to cleanse yourself from your passions so that your offer to your fellowmen will be welcomed to God. For even if you perform miracles, or resurrect the dead, if you do not care for your soul at the same time, you have done nothing.
Isaac the Syrian
*The article was originally published in Greek in ikivotos.gr
