THE INSATIABLE DESIRE OF THE COVETOUS

The greedy man is never satisfied; not only because it is impossible for him to obtain all men's goods, but also because whatever he may have he will always count as nothing. But the true Christian, a despiser of riches, will deem it all superfluous to be rich, and will not have to punish his soul with endless desires.

Desire is a punishment; for nothing so completely answers the definition of punishment as desire deprived of gratification, a mark of a perverse mind. Look at it this way.  Isn't he perverse who lusts after riches, who has much possessions and yet considers himself as possessing nothing? And thinking he still does not possess much, he bewails his state? And as he grows richer and richer, his pain becomes greater and greater.

Every time he gains a hundred talents, he bewails he did not gain a thousand; and if he gains a thousand, he feels himself even poorer because, now, he wants ten thousand.

St. John Chrysostom

(01-03-04)