Chapter II.
The richer they are in wealth, the poorer they are in affection. This is made evident by the contention between Ahab and Naboth. Soon, with the proposed text of Scripture, that request, 'Give me, how base it is,' is understood.
But what do you suppose that while you live, you abound in everything? O rich man, you do not know how poor you are, how destitute you appear to yourself, who call yourself rich! The more you have, the more you seek: and whatever you acquire, still you are in need. Greed is inflamed by gain, it is not satisfied. Desire has certain steps: the more it climbs, the more it hastens to higher things, from where the ruin for the falling one will be heavier. However, this one was more tolerable when he had less: he sought moderate wealth through reflection on his wealth; with the increase of his estate, an increase in desire also occurred. He does not want to be unworthy of his desires, poor in his wishes. In this way, he combines two intolerable things together, so that he increases the ambitious hope of the rich and does not give up the mindset of being in poverty. Finally, divine Scripture teaches us how wretched he is, begging despicably.
5. King Ahab was in Israel, and Naboth was poor. The king was wealthy in the resources of his kingdom, but Naboth possessed only a small piece of land. The poor man desired nothing from the possessions of the rich man: the king seemed to himself to be in need because the poor man had a vineyard nearby. Therefore, who seems poor to you; the one who is content with his own, or the one who desires what belongs to others? Certainly, the one who is poor in wealth seems rich in affection. The affectionate person does not know how to be in need: an abundant wealth cannot fill a greedy heart. And so, the rich person is eager in the envy of possessions, and the complaint of poverty. But now let us consider the words of Scripture.
6. And it came to pass, he said, after these words, there was a vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite in Israel, near the house of Ahab the king of Samaria. And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying: Give me your vineyard, and it will be a vegetable garden for me, because it is near my house; and I will give you another vineyard for it. But if it pleases you, I will give you money for this vineyard, and it will be a vegetable garden for me. And Naboth said to Ahab: May it not be done by God, to give you the inheritance of my fathers. And his spirit was troubled, and he slept in his bed, and he covered his face, and he did not eat bread.
7. The divine Scripture had stated above (3 Kings 19:21) that Elisha, being poor, left his oxen and ran to Elijah, and killed them, and gave the meat to the people, and followed the prophet. Therefore, as a condemnation, the story of the rich man is presented, who is described in this king, because having received the blessings of God, like this Ahab, to whom the Lord gave both a kingdom and rain through the prayer of the prophet Elijah, he violated the divine commandments.
8. Therefore let us hear what he says: Give me, he says. What other voice does a needy person have? What other voice does one demanding public assistance have, if not Give me, that is, give me, because I am in need: give me, because I cannot have any other means of living: give me, because I do not have bread for sustenance, money for drink, resources for food, substance for clothing: give me, because the Lord has given you what you should give, but has not given to me: give me, because unless you give, I will not be able to have: give me, because it is written: Give alms (Luke 11:41). How low, how base is this! They do not have the sentiment of humility, but the fire of greed. And in this very abjection, what impudence! 'Give me,' he says, 'your vineyard.' He confesses the desire to obtain what is undeserved.
9. And I will give you another vineyard in return for it, he said. The rich man despises what is his own as if it is worthless; but he desires what belongs to others as if it is extremely valuable.
10. But if it pleases you, I will give you money. He swiftly corrects his error by offering money for the vineyard. For he who desires to occupy all his possessions, does not want another to possess anything.