John Chrysostom once preached a message which said, “It is foolishness and a public madness, to fill cupboards with clothing and allow men who are created in God’s image and our likeness to stand naked and trembling with the cold so that they can hardly hold themselves upright… You are large and fat, you hold drinking parties until late at night, and sleep in a warm soft bed. And you do not think of how you must give account of your misuse of the gifts of God.” (Christian History Issue 44, Page 7).
The story of John Chrysostom also known as the “Golden Tongue” goes on to share with us that when he became archbishop of Constantinople, he sold the expensive works of art out of the church. He also refused to give lavish dinner parties, and he refused to ride in a chariot. We are told that as a result of his sacrifices and selling the churches so-called treasures that within one year in office, he saved enough money to build a hospital for those in need (Christian History, Issue 44, pg. 3).