THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Consider this: what joy can be found in wealth? One might respond by saying, “I am regarded as affluent.” Yet, what true satisfaction lies in being viewed as prosperous? The reputation of a wealthy individual is often a source of envy, and material riches are merely a label, lacking any real essence. Does a wealthy person truly take pleasure in such a perception of self? They find delight in what they should mourn. Why, you may wonder, should they feel sorrow? Because such a state renders them incapable, timid, and unmanly in life's journeys and at death’s doorstep. By valuing riches above all else, they cherish their wealth more than the warmth of the sun.
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The splendor of the sky fails to captivate them, for it does not yield gold; the sun holds no allure, as it does not radiate beams of wealth.
You might argue that some find joy in their possessions, catering to their desires and pleasures, indulging in excess, and lavishly spending on such pursuits. But I draw your attention to those wealthy individuals who are even more unfortunate, for they do not derive the most enjoyment from their riches. The affluent person I mention, consumed by a singular passion, remains free from other vices; however, those who indulge excessively are even worse, as they are bound by numerous desires: they daily serve cruel masters like gluttony, lust, and drunkenness. They entertain at sumptuous banquets, maintain companions of dubious morality, humiliate themselves through unnatural appetites, and by such actions invite countless afflictions upon both soul and body. Their expenditures are not on what is essential, but rather on that which harms their physical nature and taints the spirit, mirroring the foolishness of someone who lavishes riches on adornments for the body while neglecting their well-being.
Thus, only the one who utilizes wealth wisely truly enjoys it and reigns over it. Meanwhile, those previously described are enslaved and captives, as they foster physical ailments and moral decay. What delight can be found in a place where oppression, animosity, and spite rage more violently than the fiercest tempest? When folly receives riches, it only deepens their foolishness; and when libertinism acquires wealth, it exacerbates their vice. Yet you ponder, what benefit does wisdom bring to the impoverished? It is natural for you to question this, akin to a blind man’s inability to grasp the significance of light. Solomon wisely states, “The advantage of wisdom over folly is the same as the advantage of light over darkness.” But how do we illuminate the mind of one shrouded in obscurity? Greed represents profound darkness, obscuring one’s ability to perceive reality accurately and distorting genuine worth.
Just as a person engulfed in darkness might mistake a golden chalice or a precious gem for naught, because they cannot appreciate their luster, so too does the covetous person fail to recognize the true beauty of that which they desire. Remove the shadows cast by such affliction, and you will begin to perceive things in their true essence: their worth is most clearly revealed in poverty; never is the insignificance of what appears significant yet is truly nothing so starkly illuminated as in a life of simplicity and restraint.
What, you might wonder, is the purpose of wisdom for those who are impoverished? It is understandable that you may not grasp this, for even one who cannot see is unaware of the value of illumination. Consider the words of Solomon: the superiority of wisdom over folly is akin to the difference between light and darkness. But how can we enlighten someone who walks in shadow? Indeed, greed is a profound form of darkness, obscuring our ability to perceive things as they truly are while distorting their nature.
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Just as a person in darkness, despite having a golden vessel, a precious gem, or a richly colored garment before them, would regard such treasures as worthless due to their inability to recognize their splendor, so too the greedy individual fails to appreciate the true beauty of what they desire. Remove the shadow cast by this affliction, and then one can perceive the essence of things: their true value is often most illuminated in times of need; the emptiness of what appears to be significant, yet is ultimately meaningless, becomes most apparent in a life of simplicity and restraint.