THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
What a chaotic obsession it is to seek after that which ultimately leads to vanity, driving individuals to commit acts of theft and murder out of a frenzy for wealth. This madness extends beyond mere covetousness to the malicious intentions of those who engage in deceitful practices that can rightly be termed as new forms of theft and murder. Is there any real distinction between wrongfully taking someone else's possessions through clandestine means or outright killing a stranger to seize their belongings, or exploiting growth to acquire that which does not belong to you? What a disgraceful reality this is! This growth, which is a euphemism for theft, serves to bind the greedy even more closely to their desires, whether it pertains to monetary gain or to physical reproduction.
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What a troubling union! What a corrupt situation exists, one that was not established by nature, but rather introduced by the interference of those who meddle with the essence of life itself! What a painful experience it is to be the bearer of such greed—what kind of offspring does this give rise to? Among living beings, only the animate differentiate between male and female. God commanded them at creation, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), so that through one another, living creatures might flourish abundantly. Yet, what sort of union produces this avaricious offspring? What kind of birthing leads to the emergence of such wealth? I understand the afflictions tied to the birth of such possessions through the teaching of the Prophet: “This is the wickedness of unrighteousness; sin is conceived, and iniquity is born” (Psalm 7:15). This accumulation, born of greed, leads to iniquity and fosters hatred towards humanity. The one who constantly hides his own shortcomings, swearing that he possesses nothing, is the first to approach with ample resources when he perceives someone in need; he is tormented by the existence of these evil gains driven by selfishness. Offering hope of aid to the unfortunate, he only serves to amplify their troubles, akin to trying to extinguish a fire with oil—he does not alleviate suffering through lending but tends to compound it. Just as barren lands yield thorns in times of drought, so too do the greedy stand ready with empty promises for the distressed. With money in hand, they extend their offers like a baited hook, enticing the desperate. The poor, seduced by the allure of immediate relief, may unwittingly surrender whatever resources they have hidden away, all because of a tantalizing trap. Such are the gifts of greed! If anyone were to forcibly take or secretly pilfer another's belongings, society would label him a robber or thief; meanwhile, the one who perpetrates harm and cruelty while cloaked in treaties is regarded as a charmer, a benefactor, a savior, and adorned with all manner of positive titles. That which is wrongfully obtained is deemed theft, and when faced with true need, those who exploit Christ magnify their cruelty under the guise of humanity; this is how society views the suffering inflicted upon the downtrodden.