Article 4

Alms boxes are prohibited. The Friars are not to have recourse to money except for cases mentioned by Nicholas III. Cautions to be observed by the Friars about money when it is so deposited. Concerning the deposit and the depositor

Moreover when the said Saint wishing that the Friars above all things be totally alien to coins or money, precepted firmly to all the Friars, that in no manner they receive coins or money by themselves, or through an interposed person: and clarifying that article, Our predecessor, proposed cases and means, which when observed by the Friars they might not be said to be (nor ought they themselves be, even through another) receivers of money, against the rule or purity of their Order.

We say that the Friars are bound to beware exceedingly that for other cases and under other means, which the declaration of Our said predecessors propose, they do not have recourse to those giving money or to deputed messengers, lest (if otherwise it would have been attempted by them) they might deservedly be called transgressors of the precept and the rule: for where something is generally prohibited, which is not conceded expressly, it is understood that it has been denied.

Wherefore the every gain of money, and of offerings, the reception of money in the church, or elsewhere, boxes or containers assigned to receive the money of offerings or donations: and also even whatever recourse to money, or the holding thereof, which by the declaration itself is not conceded: these, We say, all these are simply forbidden to them.

Since even recourse to spiritual friends is expressly conceded only in two cases according to the Rule: namely for the necessities of the sick, and for the clothing of the Friars: and piously and rationally having considered the necessity of life, Our said predecessor often reckoned that it must be extended to other necessities of the Friars occurring for a time (when alms have ceased) or even for emergencies: let the aforementioned Friars be attentive, because for no other cases than the aforesaid or similar is it licit for them to have recourse in the street or elsewhere to friends of this kind, whether they be givers of money or self-appointed persons, or messengers or depositors, or called by whatever other name: even if the means conceded through the same declaration about money are wholly preserved. Lastly since it is often repeated in the rule that the same Confessor eagerly desired the professors of his rule to be totally detached from the affection and desire for earthly goods, and especially from money: it is necessary that the Friars vigilantly have care, that when it arises from the aforesaid causes and means that they have recourse to having money deputed for their own necessities, to posses the same, whoever the principals or messengers be, in all things they are to bear themselves in such a manner, that they show themselves to all to have nothing inwardly to do with such moneys (just as they do not posses them).

Wherefore let the Friars know that precepting that and in what manner money is expended, and exacting a computation of expenses, or making deposits, carrying away a chest of money, or its key, these acts and the like are illicit for them: for to do the aforesaid things pertains to the owners alone, who have given them, and to those whom the latter themselves have deputized for this very thing.