THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
If that is the case, why do you feel apprehensive about the present? What is it about poverty that saddens you? Why do you dread those who possess wealth? You are aware of the teaching on the resurrection, the justice for the righteous, and the punishment awaiting the wicked: why do you fear the ephemeral? The treasures of the eternal are steadfast and true, while the treasures of this world are fleeting as flowers that wither away. Thus, setting aside all else, the prophet confronts the root of all evils — the yearning for wealth. For when this obsession is dismantled, all other vices are vanquished.
Conversations surrounding the admonition not to fear when a man becomes prosperous. First discussion on the message of the prophet David. Greetings to the listeners: who is a true man, and how can one become truly human? How does one learn not to be intimidated by a wealthy individual? What constitutes genuine wealth? The role of the preacher is challenging yet essential. How might a rich man find salvation? I present an insight into the peculiarities of life and an encouragement to wives. Material wealth may embellish a home, but it does not define a person.
A farmer takes pleasure in plowing the fields, managing the reins, removing thorns, and sowing seeds once the ground is cleared. Yet, it brings even greater joy for a preacher to impart divine truths to clear minds. Hence, we move forward with our message, having prepared this field. While I cannot observe your souls directly, your attentive eyes and focused ears indicate your inner tranquility. Although I can’t read your consciences, the upward gazes you offer signal that you are free from turmoil. It is as if you are calling out: cast the seeds upon us, and we shall receive the sown word, anticipating the harvest, for we have cast aside worldly anxieties. This motivates me as I delve into profound thoughts, hoping for the fruitfulness of this field.
Scriptural texts demand not just a wise teacher but also a discerning listener; therefore, I strive to encourage you, as I also feel blessed. It is indeed proclaimed: “Blessed is he who hears” (Sir. 25:12) and “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6). Thus, we impart teachings to you, who have gathered here eagerly, while others are entangled in worldly enterprises and fatigued by life's demands. You have risen above the earthly realm, embracing spiritual aspirations; while those preoccupied with bodily needs remain in servitude, you elevate and adorn your noble soul.
Where are you, O man? You are in the market. What are you seeking? Dust and dirt. Come here and receive spiritual blessings from me. Why gather perishable wealth? Why indulge in the allure of fleeting power and concern yourself with temporary matters? Why do you pluck transient flowers and neglect the enduring fruits? Why pursue shadows instead of grasping the truth? Why chase the ephemeral rather than seek what is everlasting? “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field; the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isa. 40:6-8). Do you possess great wealth? But what benefit does it bring to your soul? You may be rich in currency but impoverished in spirit; adorned in leaves yet devoid of fruit. What value is there in this? You have accumulated riches that you shall leave behind, and power accompanied by strife. Come here, engage in wise discourse, erase your sins, eliminate your wrongdoings, cleanse your conscience, uplift your spirit, become both angelic and human. Shed the chains of flesh, embrace the light wings of true life; reject the visible, cling firmly to the invisible; ascend to the heavens, rejoice with the angels, stand before the Almighty Throne; dismiss the smoke and vanity of this earth. What name can I find fitting for such transient pursuits? I proclaim this firmly and will persist in doing so. Come, embody humanity, so that this title is not bestowed upon you without merit.
Do you comprehend these words? A true man is recognized; yes, he may be called a man, yet too often, this title applies merely in name, not in essence. When I observe you living recklessly, what shall I call you but a beast? When I see you plundering the possessions of others, how should I title you except as a predator? When you engage in immorality, what term shall I choose other than swine? When you betray trust, how can I regard you as anything but a serpent? When you harbor malice, how might I call you a man instead of a venomous creature? When I witness your folly, must I not see you as an irrational beast? When I notice your unfaithfulness, I cannot but regard you as a fierce stallion? When I see your disregard for others, must I not see you as stone-hearted? You have received nobility from God; why do you betray the dignity of your nature?
Show me your ways. Some have managed, through diligent efforts, to teach beasts the traits of humanity: parrots mimic human speech, taming lions and leading them in public. Yet you, who would tame the once-ferocious lion, transform yourself into something more merciless than a wolf? And worse still, every silent creature harbors faults: the wolf is predatory, the serpent cunning, the asp dangerous; yet the wicked man can embody all these vices. How can I call you a man, devoid of royal distinction, crowns, or dignity? “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen. 1:26). Reflect, O man, on the image in which you were created, and abandon behavior unworthy of your nature. Would you call a king who casts aside his royal robes, lowering himself to the status of laborers, still a king? You bear the mantle of humanity; do not only affirm you possess the soul of a man—demonstrate that you embody true manhood through righteous actions. You are called to reign over the beasts, yet you yield to the chaotic passions within you.
But you ask, how can I attain true manhood? If you bring the wisdom of the flesh into submission, if you forsake immorality, if you reject the unbridled lust for wealth—the tyrant of all evils—if you cleanse your inner self. How can you become a man? You must gather here, where true men are forged. I will transform you, like a horse into a man; I will change a wolf into a man; I will mold a serpent into a man—not by altering nature, but by changing the will. You may assert, I have children, a household to manage, a wife to care for, poverty weighing me down, striving for basic sustenance. These are mere excuses, false pretenses. If I kept you here indefinitely, not permitting you to attend to worldly obligations, you could justify your claims with recourse to your family, household, and material needs. Yet in reality, when you engage here, God can bestow greater prosperity upon your labors.
I do not compel you to remain here daily, but rather, encourage attendance just twice a week. Is that too burdensome? Come to church, not for a full day, but for a brief period, and receive spiritual guidance. Protect yourself from wounding encounters, avoid reproaching others, and transform your market visits into opportunities for divine encounter. Equip yourself with the tools necessary for righteousness; approach the sacred place with clean hearts; navigate life thoughtfully. All this knowledge can be gained here, yet you often venture out into worldly spaces unarmed, devoid of adherence to God’s commandments. Reflect on the greatness of walking away from church unscathed by worldly burdens, trampling sorrows, transcending pleasures. Let us also recall Job, who neither wavered in despair due to poverty nor became exalted by prosperity, maintaining the same inner disposition regardless of circumstance.
Come and receive your spiritual armament! What kind of weapon? The kind that brings salvation often. You may spot a man exalted upon a golden steed, surrounded by a host of attendants, then catch sight of a humble, destitute individual. You become envious of the wealthy and despondent regarding the poor. Yet David reminds you, “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich.” Follow the wisdom of the prophet and do not fear; align your thoughts with the prophet, who guides and instructs you: “Fear not when a man is made rich.” You might argue these are merely words of persuasion; how then can I ensure that I do not fear such a person? Here is the truth: wealth is intrinsically similar to humanity; and in what manner, you ask?
A man is an inherently fragile, corruptible, and fleeting being. Wealth mirrors this more closely; indeed, it is even less reliable. Wealth often withers away, either before or simultaneous to the life of the one who possesses it. You witness in this city many instances of wealth's downfall—wealth dissipating even while its owner is still alive. The fate of wealth is often a turning back toward poverty. Consider how transitory riches truly are: while the owner lives, their wealth can already be gone. If it were only to perish alone, that would be less grievous than its downfall accompanying the owner. Thus, it is right to characterize wealth as an ungrateful and lethal servant, one who exacts destruction from their master.
Moreover, this merciless servant only draws a person into danger upon departing, but even while they still possess it, it breeds confusion and turmoil. Do not be deceived by their silk garments, their perfumed airs, or the throngs of servants; observe instead their conscience, their restless soul. A rich man, even while adorned, may harbor storms within and multiplied unrest. Witness another's fall, and in that moment, perceive the peril that looms over you as well. Truly, what can be more unreliable than the actions of men? I have compared them to rivers: they rise and then recede, vanishing just as swiftly. “Fear not when a man becomes rich.” Allow this phrase to resonate in your spirit; when envy arises within, recall this verse, and it shall cast out the passion.
“Fear not when a man grows rich.” This serves as healing; not mere wealth, but heavenly treasures are your remedy. I seek not merely to soothe the body, but to illuminate the soul—not just yours, but also my own, for despite being a teacher, I share in the common human experience, and thus I present a universal message. “Fear not when a man becomes rich.” Consider these words as treasures of support; see them as sources of abundance. True riches do not lie in accruing wealth but in cultivating contentment without yearning for it.
Do you grasp what I have conveyed to you? Those who desire riches crave possessions, coveting wealth; yet one who refrains from those desires finds contentment. “Fear not when a man becomes rich, nor when the glory of his house increases.” Why, then, is there this command not to fear? Because the rich are often objects of dread, as the prophet outlines their lives. Why fear a person enveloped in ornamentation but lacking genuine fruit? Why dread someone whose existence is drenched in bitterness? Why cower before a man enslaved by fear? The servant is free from fear in the absence of his master; yet the wealthy live perpetually bound to their covetousness, which breeds enmity with all—kin, household, friends, and even benefactors—creating disdain in others.
In contrast, the poor content themselves with the wealth of wisdom and patience, free from fear, while the selfishly rich find themselves resented in communal gatherings, perceiving themselves as common foes, flattered superficially, yet inwardly met with loathing. This truth is revealed when the storm rages, tearing leaves from the trees; the flattery yields to truth, as hypocritical faces are brought to light. Then, all declare, “Wretched, deceitful, wicked!” What can you say in response? “Did you not just yesterday extol him? Did you not just flatter him?” Yet he counters, “That was pretense; times have shifted, and I no longer disguise my true feelings.” Why then should you dread him when he is so easily cast aside by many?