“When the Word is choked, it is not merely due to thorns as such, but to the negligence of those allowing them to spring up…For indeed riches have two contrary disadvantages; one, anxiety over them, wearing us out, and spreading darkness over us; and the other, luxury, which makes us soft…Do not marvel at his calling our luxuries “thorns.” If you are intoxicated in your sense your may not be aware of this. One is in sound health who knows that luxury pricks sharper than any thorn. Luxury wastes the soul away even worse than anxiety. It causes more grievous pains both to body and soul. For no one is as seriously harmed by anxiety as by immoderate indulgence…It brings on premature old age, dulls the senses, darkens our reasoning, blinds the keen-sighted mind, and makes the body flabby.”
John Chyrsostom (c. 344/354-407) taken from The Gospel of St. Matthew, Homily 44.7 ACCS.M.57.