Chapter Thirty-One
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The Kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monastery Ought to Be
LET A wise man be chosen from the community as Cellarer of the monastery. He should be of mature character, temperate, not a great eater, not conceited, nor irritable, the kind who does hold a grudge, neither stingy nor wasteful, but a man who fears God, and who could be like a father to the whole community.
Let him have the care of everything, let him do nothing without the order of the Abbot, let him do what has been bid of him and not grieve the brethren. If a brother should happen to request anything of him unreasonably let him not upset the brother with harsh rebuke, but politely and with humility refuse him who wrongfully made the request. Let him be watchful of his own soul, always mindful of the saying of the Apostle: “For they that have ministered well, shall purchase for themselves a good reward.” (1 Tim. 3:13). Let him provide for the sick, the children, the guests, and the poor, with all care, knowing that, without doubt, he will have to give an account of all these things on judgment day. Let him regard all the vessels of the monastery and all its goods, as if they were sacred vessels of the altar. Let him neglect nothing and let him not give way to avarice, nor let him be wasteful nor a squanderer of the goods of the monastery; but let him do all things in due measure and according to the bidding of his Abbot.
Above all things, let him be humble; and if he hath not the things to give, let him answer with a kind word, because it is written: “A good word is above the best gift.” (Sir. 18:17). Let him have under his charge everything that the Abbot has entrusted to him, and not presume to meddle with matters forbidden him. Let him give the brethren their apportioned allowance without a fuss or delay, that they may not be scandalized. And he should be mindful of what the Divine Word declares that he deserves who “shall scandalize one of these little ones.” (Cf. Matt. 18:6).
Let him be given assistants if the community is large so that, with their help, he too may fulfill the Office entrusted to him with an even temper. Let the things that are needed should be distributed, and all the requests should be made at the proper times, so that nobody may be disturbed or annoyed in the house of God.