THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
What a relentless obsession it is to pursue possessions that ultimately serve vanity, driving individuals to commit acts of murder and theft for their sake. This concern is not limited to personal greed; it extends to the malevolent schemes of the Rosts, which can aptly be described as fresh acts of robbery and homicide without straying from the truth. What distinguishes the secret acquisition of another's goods, stolen from a compromised wall, from killing an unsuspecting individual to seize their possessions, or being compelled by greed to claim what rightfully belongs to someone else? Such shameful practices bear ill repute. Greed masquerades under the guise of prosperity, holding a dual meaning for the pursuit of wealth and the fruit of procreation. What a distressing union this is!
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What a twisted condition, one that nature itself does not acknowledge and which is instead imposed by the interference of the greedy! What a sorrowful burden of offspring, yielding such undesirable fruits! Among living beings, only they differentiate between male and female. God commanded them at creation, "Be fruitful and increase in number" (Genesis 1:28), so that the continuation of life may flourish through procreation. Yet, what kind of union births this golden offspring? What manner of delivery brings it forth? I am aware of the afflictions associated with such births, as the Prophet revealed: "This is the wickedness of the unrighteous; trouble conceives and gives birth to deceit" (Psalm 7:15). This offspring is the result of greed's sickness, which spills forth into iniquity and fosters enmity against humanity. For the individual who constantly conceals his shortcomings, swearing that he lacks means, reveals his true nature when he exhibits wealth to those in need; he torments others through the selfish birth of greed, offering loans that only deepen their woes, akin to attempting to extinguish a fire with oil. He does not alleviate suffering through lending; he merely amplifies the burden. Just as fields overrun with weeds in drought, so too do those consumed by avarice find opportunities to exploit the needy during their hardships. Then he extends his hand laden with money, appearing as a baited hook. The desperate, lured by the promise of immediate gain, might relinquish hidden possessions, only to regret the emptying of their store. Such are the so-called blessings of greed! If anyone violently dispossesses or stealthily pilfers another's belongings, they are labeled a thief and a robber; yet the one who inflicts visible harm and reinforces wickedness through agreements is hailed as a benefactor, a helper, or even a savior, receiving all manner of commendations. That which is seized through violence is rightly termed theft, and the one who, in dire circumstances, tarnishes the name of Christ compounds cruelty with a false sense of community; such is the nature of the harm done to the less fortunate.