THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
Moreover, consider the mightiest of heroes, Samson, who was led astray by the greed of his wife Delilah. This is the same man who, with his own hands, had split apart a fierce lion, who had, while captured and betrayed to his enemies, broken free from his chains and slain a thousand adversaries. He, who had effortlessly shredded ropes as though they were mere strands, now yielded to his wife's whims and was shorn, thereby forfeiting the glory of his once-mighty locks, the symbol of his strength. As selfishness took root in the heart of the woman, the grace that had once empowered her husband fled. This illustrates how destructive selfishness is; wealth can be misleading, harming those who possess it while failing to aid those in genuine need.
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While we might concede that wealth occasionally serves those in need, it primarily appeals to the desperate who long for it. What benefit does it provide to those who neither seek it nor desire it, who feel no need for it and prefer not to strive for its acquisition? How does it benefit others if a wealthy individual is richer than they? Does possessing money make one more virtuous, given that it is often what leads to the loss of virtue? We tend to claim ownership of what we can utilize; however, the possessions that serve no practical purpose can prove unhelpful, and in fact, safeguarding them can be a peril to the owner.
Indeed, did not Dalila's selfish motives lead to the downfall of the mightiest of heroes, Samson? For further insights into his narrative, refer to Judges 16:1-22. Samson, who had single-handedly slain a fierce lion, surrendered himself to captors, shattered chains without assistance, and defeated a thousand foes, found himself ensnared by the very woman who became his downfall. With his strength diminished as the precious hair that symbolized his might was cut, he lost the essence of his power. The allure of wealth consumed her, and the favor from the Lord departed from him.