Simplicity: John Chrysostom on Wealth and Generosity

John Chrysostom (d. 407) was one of the early church's most outspoken critics of wealth and most passionate advocates for generosity. He preached: "Not to share our own wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth but theirs." This was not exaggeration but theological conviction: all wealth ultimately belongs to God and is given in trust for the common good.

Chrysostom did not demand that all Christians become monks, but he insisted that simplicity and generosity are non-negotiable marks of authentic faith. He taught: "The rich exist for the sake of the poor; the poor exist for the salvation of the rich." In this vision, generosity is not charity from the powerful to the weak but mutual necessity within the body of Christ.

Practical application: Calculate what percentage of your income you currently give away. Increase it by one percentage point this month. Chrysostom challenges comfortable Christians to examine whether their standard of living reflects the priorities of Christ. Even a modest increase in generosity, practiced consistently, begins to reshape the heart's relationship with money.