THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Let us follow suit; let us exalt Him and offer garments to those who bear Him. What then shall we be deemed worthy of? Upon Christ's arrival in Jerusalem, some draped their garments over the donkey He rode while others placed them beneath its hooves. Should we, who are instructed not only to shed our own garments but to expend them for the sake of others, withhold our generosity as we see Him in His state of humiliation? The multitude surrounded Him, yet why do we reject Him or inflict offense when He approaches us? What retribution does such behavior deserve? When our Lord, in need, seeks our attention, we turn away, condemning Him instead as we hear His plea. If we are miserly even with a few coins or crumbs of food, what shall befall us should we be confronted with a total demand?
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Observe how vain men generously bestow upon lascivious women in theaters, yet we scarcely offer a fraction of that to the needy. When the enemy pressures you to give, you comply out of fear of Gehenna; yet when Christ urges you to assist the poor, promising you a kingdom in return, you not only refuse but also turn away insultingly. Would you rather heed the devil’s calls for torment than yield to Christ for your salvation? What could be more irrational? One offers Gehenna while the other offers a kingdom, yet you forsake the one in pursuit of the other. When Christ reaches out to you, you send Him away while inviting the devil to come closer. It is as if a king, offering luxurious gifts, cannot persuade us to ally with him, while a robber, brandishing a weapon and threatening death, is given audience.
Dear friends, let us take heed and awaken our spirits. I confess I hesitate to discuss charitable giving, as I find myself repeating these exhortations without perceiving the desired fruits of my words. It is true I see some improvement, but not as much as I had hoped. I notice your sowing, yet it lacks the generosity we should embody; therefore, I fear you may reap sparingly. Let us consider the proportions of wealth in our city: are the poor or the rich more numerous, and how many exist in between their extremes? I suspect a fraction of the wealthy and a fraction of the destitute occupy our streets, while most dwell in moderate circumstances. If you divide the populace by the poor, the shame will become evident. The wealthy are few, yet those who are adequate are numerous, and the impoverished are vastly outnumbered. Many go hungry, not because the sufficient lack resources, but due to their cruelty and indifference. Were the wealthy to share their bread and clothes, the poor would indeed be scarce. Despite being abundantly able to aid, the cries of the poor resonate daily. Witness the inhumanity of the affluent reflected in how many widows and daughters the Church supports, with its resources comparable to their own.
Consider too that the Church cares for three thousand individuals—prisoners, the sick, wanderers, those seeking sustenance, and others who come for assistance, and yet it never falls short. If merely ten individuals contributed equally, there would be no beggars left. You may argue about inheritance for your children—but know that your core assets remain intact, while the treasures laid up in heaven grow for them. If you hesitate to give entirely, consider parting with a fraction—be it half, a third, a fourth, a fifth, or even a tenth. Through the grace of God, our city could support the poor of numerous towns if only we would act, which is evidently feasible. Note how much one household spends on trivial matters, often without awareness. If every wealthy individual dedicated similar resources to the impoverished, how swiftly they would find joy in the heavens.
Thus, what justification remains for our inaction? What excuse can we offer when not distributing what shall perish along with us to those in need, while generously providing for hypocrites? Were we to dwell here forever, such generosity would hold no regret; yet faced with our eventual departure, naked and without possessions, what excuse will remain for withholding support from the hungry and afflicted? I will not compel you to relinquish your holdings; my desire is known, but I observe little willingness among you to share. Instead, I urge you to offer at least from your profits without reservation. You possess the means as if drawing from a spring, but share with the poor, fulfilling your role as a good steward of God's gifts. You might say, I pay taxes. Does this excuse your neglect of the needy? Why do you comply with a man claiming what is due, perhaps with force, yet respond coldly to a humble beggar's request? Who will deliver you from the torment that awaits? If your sole reason for tax compliance is fear of punishment here, note that far graver consequences loom in eternity—eternal fire, not prison or shackles.
Therefore, let us first ensure our debts to the needy are met. This is not burdensome; the reward is grand, the benefits manifold. But if we remain indifferent, a far weightier punishment will be our lot—an eternal punishment beyond comprehension. Should you argue that your contributions support soldiers defending you, consider too the multitude of beggars. They engage in a spiritual battle on your behalf, imploring God with prayers that fend off demonic accusations and lessen the evil one’s grip on you. What tribute will you offer them, these fighters against the devil? The gentleness of Heaven’s King has not sent you tormentors, but desires your voluntary service. Even small gifts are welcomed, and should you delay due to poverty, He does not demand more than you can give. Yet let us beware of His patience; let us gather not wrath but salvation, not death but life. Here, you need not pay for offerings to reach heaven; the Lord Himself will carry your contributions there, ensuring their perfect investment.
On Earth, your gifts are final; in heaven, they multiply. Here, what is given is reclaimed, but there it is profit and increase. God Himself provides a receipt for your generosity, declaring, 'He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord' (Proverbs 19:17). He offers you a guarantee, despite being sovereign over all things—the very essence of the goods of this life. Why then do you hesitate and prolong your response when so much has already been bestowed upon you, with yet more to come? Reflect on the gifts you have received: He formed your body, breathed life into you, bestowed intellect, granted dominion over the physical realm, revealed Himself to you, gave His Son, instituted baptism, provided a sacred meal, and promised an unimaginable kingdom. With such generosity received and anticipated, I repeat—why do you cling to impermanent wealth? What grounds do you have for excuse? Do you believe to justify yourself by begetting children? Yet, seek to raise them in the same benevolence.
Should your financial decisions yield gains, how much more valuable is it to give your children a divine inheritance instead of monetary riches? Such generosity is far superior, ensuring prosperity without the need for further loans. Thus, leave your children in debt to God. You choose not to divest your estate but rather to preserve it for them, hoping to maintain income. Why then, hesitate to leave them a legacy more profitable than all earthly possessions? Such a manuscript, a testament to faith, holds infinite value. How misguided and irrational! When you bestow this legacy upon your children, know that you too will reap its rewards. The spiritual abundance is great. Let us not be parsimonious, cruel to our own souls, but invest in this noble cause, ensuring we enjoy eternal blessings with the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory, dominion, and honor, now and forevermore. Amen.