Shepherd of Hermas 49

1…they make their wealth complete, and in turn the rich, by supplying the poor with the things they need, make their souls complete.

29. Thus both become partners in the work of the righteous one. Therefore the one who does these things will not be abandoned by God, but will be inscribed in the books of the living.

310. Blessed are those who have and understand that they are made rich by the Lord; for those who think this way will be able to do some good.

4Another parable.

51. He showed me many trees that had no leaves, but they seemed to me to be dry; for they were all alike. And he says to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see,” I say, “sir, that they are alike and dry.” Answering, he says to me, “These trees that you see are those who dwell in this age.”

62. “Why then, sir, are they as if dry and alike?” I say. “Because,” he says, “neither the righteous nor the sinners are visible in this age, but they are alike; for this age is winter for the righteous, and they are not visible while dwelling among sinners.”

73. “For just as in winter the trees, having cast off their leaves, are alike, and it is not apparent which are dry or which are living, so in this age neither the righteous nor the sinners are apparent, but all are alike.”

8Another parable.

91. He showed me again many trees, some sprouting and others dry, and he says to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see,” I say, “sir, some sprouting and others dry.”

102. “These trees that are sprouting,” he says, “are the righteous, who are about to dwell in the age to come; for the age to come is summer for the righteous, but winter for sinners. Therefore when the mercy of the Lord shines forth, then those serving God will be made manifest, and all will be made manifest.”

113. “For just as in summer the fruits of each tree become visible and are recognized for what they are, so also the fruits of the righteous will be visible, and all will be known, [those who are least] being flourishing in that age.”

124. “But the Gentiles and the sinners—like the dry trees you saw—will be found such, dry and fruitless in that age, and as …”