THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Job’s possessions included seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred donkeys, along with a multitude of servants. The details of his wealth serve not to astonish us, but rather to illustrate the vastness of his riches. When we later observe Job stripped of all his belongings yet showing no signs of despair, we are meant to recognize the remarkable resilience and patience of this righteous man, which inspires us to maintain a steadfast reverence for God. The account of Job will be discussed further at another time.
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When the adversary noticed Job flourishing in earthly wealth and thereby amassing eternal treasures, he assumed that if Job’s righteousness expanded with his riches, then his moral integrity would crumble with their loss. Consequently, he sought to strip Job of his possessions so that he could also diminish his virtue. To those who question why we are called to live soberly despite the richness of figures like Job and Abraham, I respond: aspire to possess wealth like Job, and I will encourage you to seek even greater prosperity; emulate Abraham and know that the world will bless your riches. Follow Job’s example by saying, “I opened my doors to the traveler” (Job 31:32); declare, “I provided warmth to the shoulders of the impoverished” (Job 31:20); affirm that “he was warmed by the wool of my sheep” (Job 29:13), and then feel free to enrich yourself as you wish.
In such giving, you will not simply acquire wealth for your own benefit but rather for the welfare of the needy. The righteous man proclaims, “My doors are open to the traveler.” Strive to emulate his immense love for the poor, cultivate his capacity for patience, learn his courage against adversaries, and be inspired by his spirit. However, let this suffice for now. May our Lord grant us the patience and enthusiasm needed to continue our discussions, enabling you to seek the fulfillment of what we have begun to share, while we endeavor to provide that continuation. May He also bless us to celebrate the feast appropriately, and, uniting with the sufferings of the saints, partake in Christ’s sacrifice. Indeed, it is fitting that the Passion of Christ follows that of the saints, as their sufferings illuminate our path, allowing Christ to shine through like lightning, as Paul articulates, a source of mercy and glorification for all (Romans 8:17). Thus, with the prayers and intercessions of the holy fathers guiding us, let us stand firm in our commitments and prepare for what lies ahead, giving glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
When I describe Job’s wealth, my intent is not for you to be awed by his riches, but to marvel at his character when he lost everything. He experienced profound loss yet retained his righteousness, resembling a besieged city, entirely vulnerable from external threats yet safeguarded by divine protection. Although he lost his sheep, he remained a sheep under God’s care; he may have lost his oxen, but the bond between his soul and body endured, harmoniously driving the plow of righteousness. He embodied patience as a virtue, producing even greater fruits of endurance. Job possessed three thousand camels and five hundred donkeys. It seemed insufficient for his desires, as he cared for the marginalized, saying he had “eyes for the blind and feet for the lame” (Job 29:15); it became clear that his zeal for charity required more provisions than he had.
In a sense, Job stood as a poor man, his means not matching his fervor; thus, while wealthy in resources, his desires revealed a deeper kind of poverty. The scripture mentions that he had ample possessions, yet the essence of Job’s renown resided not solely in his material wealth but in the richness of his piety and virtue. While some may mistakenly interpret his abundance through the lens of worldly goods, his true treasures bloom from the cultivation of heavenly riches.