If there are artisans in the monastery, let them practice their crafts with all humility, provided the Abbot has given permission. But if any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission. If any of the work of the craftsmen is to be sold, those responsible for the salemust not dare to practice any fraud. Let them always remember Ananias and Saphira, who incurred bodily death (Acts 5:1-11), lest they and all who perpetrate fraud in monastery affairs suffer spiritual death. And in the prices let not the sin of avarice creep in, but let the goods always be sold a little cheaper than they can be sold by people in the world, "that in all things God may be glorified" (1 Peter 4:11).

A few years ago I read of a Monastery that cut back on a very successful offering of artisan fruitcakes.

At Christmastime the fruitcakes were in such demand that the Monastery felt required to employ dozens of oblates to meet demand.

After one especially "successful" year the abbot announced that the following year they would only make a certain number of fruitcakes, no matter the demand.

He explained that the fruitcake business had begun to distract from the spiritual purposes of the monastery.

Success can be very distracting to purpose, especially if we are unsure of our purpose.

Above is Benedict presenting the gift of the monastic movement in thanks to God.