"Perhaps the most important detail of sharing in
community was the positive attitude which Augustine wanted to see present in those that
came to live with him - cheerfulness." Cheerfulness "was to characterize
all who lived in the community, especially, through the service they rendered to one
another." Whether members were rich or poor, skilled or unskilled, what was of
most importance to Augustine was that members brought with them to the community "a
charity that outshines all things."
"God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Further, The Rule of Saint Augustine speaks specifically to how work in the
community was be carried out. To all who serve, Augustine says, "serve your
brothers and sisters without grumbling," that is eagerly, courteously, and even
joyfully. Moreover, Augustine taught that members "should avoid quarrels
altogether or else put an end to them as quickly as possible; otherwise, anger may grow
into hatred, making a plank out of a splinter, and turn the soul into a murderer."
"Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer." (1 John
3:15)
