THE PROBLEM OF WEALTH
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR, Mr. Dawson, in his otherwise admirable article in your issue of October 17th, makes a slip by basing himself on what is perhaps the most unfortunate mistranslation in the Author- ized Version of the New Testament. He says, " A society that followed the Gospel precept to take no thought for the morrow would be bankrupt the day after." There is actually no such Gospel precept.
The Evangelist in his report of Our Lord's teaching uses the Greek verb ActiLvar. This word means an anxious division and searching of heart ; and it is this wrong anxiety only which Our Lord forbids. In other parts of His teaching He allows full place to reasonable prudence and foresight.
Mr. Dawson is right when he speaks of the " economic nonchalance " of the Gospel. At this " economic non- chalance " every Christian believer ought to aim, but it is hard to achieve.—I am, Sir, &c., C. G. HALL. 1 Vicars' Court, Lincoln.
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