Sell my possessions..?

[the_Assyrian_1]

Should I sell my possessions and give to the Poor, then come follow Christ?

Does the church still teach this?

Ive been reading St. Cyprian and his paper on almsgiving and works, it has had an impact…

My concern is this, that I wont be labelled a ‘Weirdo’ for following through on my convictions?

Would the church support me in this? Or would they turn around and say that I did it needlessly…?

Advice please…

 

[1ke]

Not everyone is called to live the gospel int his way, to this type of radical poverty.

Christ’s command was not for *every *person. Even in the early Church there were those that were prosperous-- they used their material wealth to serve the Church, for example those who supported St Paul’s journeys-- but did not sell all they owned and become itinerant.

Some people are, and if you think you might be then seek spiritual direction from a priest so that you can properly discern your call.

 

[Bookcat]

Christ’s counsel…not command.

 

[the_Assyrian_1]

Not everyone is called to live the gospel int his way, to this type of radical poverty.

Christ’s command was not for *every *person. Even in the early Church there were those that were prosperous-- they used their material wealth to serve the Church, for example those who supported St Paul’s journeys-- but did not sell all they owned and become itinerant.

Some people are, and if you think you might be then seek spiritual direction from a priest so that you can properly discern your call.

Hi, and thanks for your reply first of all… much appreciated…

I dont regard being penniless as Poverty, in scripture those without Christ, are truely poor for even what they do have will be taken away from them because they lack knowledge of the HOLY ONE, GOD. (Christs commandments).

I regard myself as rich being a christian. But if I could do it and did, it would be for the reward in heaven which Christ spoke about, I think this is noble…

Also it mentions (in St Cyprian) that scripture says through the Holy Spirit speaking, that “by faith and by alms giving sins are cleansed” this would hence be a two-fold reason acheiveing good.

Certainly I will ask my priest also…

Thanks

 

[Bookcat]

Should I sell my possessions and give to the Poor, then come follow Christ?

Does the church still teach this?

Ive been reading St. Cyprian and his paper on almsgiving and works, it has had an impact…

My concern is this, that I wont be labelled a ‘Weirdo’ for following through on my convictions?

Would the church support me in this? Or would they turn around and say that I did it needlessly…?

Advice please…

It depends on what you yourself are called…in a personal way…

certainly follow Christ!

but some are called to sell their possessions…others are called otherwise.

there are many ways already within the Catholic Church to do this…and new ones can come along the road as well.

Of course we must all in a real way “renounce all” see Luke 14:33…for some this will take on a way as you describe for others it will not…but in all cases it must be that we follow Christ …

 

[Bob4BVM]

Pray on it, just ask Him.
Then listen.
Many ways to true conversion, some more difficult than this.
Whatever we have is gift from God, all can be used in many ways for His glory.

The greatest gift to Him is our hearts. That’s what He really wants.
Learned that from Our Lady.

 

[the_Assyrian_1]

It depends on what you yourself are called…in a personal way…

certainly follow Christ!

but some are called to sell their possessions…others are called otherwise.

there are many ways already within the Catholic Church to do this…and new ones can come along the road as well.

Of course we must all in a real way “renounce all” see Luke 14:33…for some this will take on a way as you describe for others it will not…but in all cases it must be that we follow Christ …

Hi Bookcat,

Im not sure I know what you mean by being called in a personal way… ?

So far I see this from my own perpsective, as a comandment to follow him as it says in the word…

Certainly the word says, ‘Many are called but few chosen’ I suppose Im aiming at this if Im honest…

 

[JRKH]

Should I sell my possessions and give to the Poor, then come follow Christ?

Perhaps. But remember that this can be taken in different ways. The primarly reason Christ gave this council to the “rich young man” is precisely because He knew that this would be a real challenge to him. The Rich young man was attached to his wealth and posessions. In the OT times health and wealth was seen as a sign of blessings from God and Jesus was telling him to renounce this. To detach himself from this “worldly blessing” and attach himself to the “heavenly blessing”.
Thus it is not the posessions that are necessarily the problem but our attachment to them.

Does the church still teach this?

I don’t know that the Church EVER actually taught this. In Acts there is reference to everything being held in common, but this does not seem to have been the norm in every community.

Ive been reading St. Cyprian and his paper on almsgiving and works, it has had an impact…

My concern is this, that I wont be labelled a ‘Weirdo’ for following through on my convictions?

Is your concern that you won’t be labeled a weirdo or that you will be labeled a weirdo?

Would the church support me in this? Or would they turn around and say that I did it needlessly…?

Advice please…

I don’t believe "The Church’ will take a particular position in the matter. Individuals within the Church will likely have a whole range of comments to make.

If I may ask, what would be your intent after selling all and giving to the poor?
Would it be to enter religious life in a community?
To be an “Itinerant monk”?
To become a hermit?

Just curious

Peace
James

 

[the_Assyrian_1]

I don’t believe "The Church’ will take a particular position in the matter. Individuals within the Church will likely have a whole range of comments to make.

If I may ask, what would be your intent after selling all and giving to the poor?
Would it be to enter religious life in a community?
To be an “Itinerant monk”?
To become a hermit?

Just curious

Peace
James

Hi James,
Thanks for your imput…

I see you trying hard for me to keep my possessions

Its sad to hear you say the church might stay neutral on this, bit I accept this, however then, my praise would not be from men, but from God in this case…

Well Im living a relatively sanctified life now, I would continue this and help others do the same… !! Attend church, carry on with my Charitable commitments, do smal group and continue to do good any way I can… oh yes continue to praise and thank God…!

 

[Shin]

If you can enter the religious life, it is the counsel of scriptures to everyone to do so who can…

I always find the more I give away, the less I have, the better my spiritual life.

We should keep the necessities for our duties in life and self care otherwise do with very little…

A spartan life is a holier life…

 

[the_Assyrian_1]

If you can enter the religious life, it is the counsel of scriptures to everyone to do so who can…

I always find the more I give away, the less I have, the better my spiritual life.

We should keep the necessities for our duties in life and self care otherwise do with very little…

A spartan life is a holier life…

I have thought about this but I have History (mental health issues) and certainly need to adopt my holy Life for longer before I consider this…

But what options do I have?

 

[Shin]

A person in the world can live a religious life in it, to a certain extent.

Making do with a little… abstaining from secular entertainments [truly a requirement for all]…

There are the third orders too… though one does not need to join one to take up a more religious life… or much of their devotions…

You might try reading some books written for religious people, like ‘The True Spouse of Jesus Christ’ or the writings of the Desert Fathers…

We are all called to interior perfection. We either achieve it here, or through purgatory, or never.

It’s better to do it here.

Interior perfection without the exterior is rare. You generally have to at least have the latter for some time before you’ll ever get the former. So you do what you can.

You replace the old world with the spiritual goods instead. Spiritual reading, prayer, charity, love of neighbor, mortification and penance…

‘Human affairs are fainter than a shadow; more deceitful than a dream. Youth fades more quickly than the flowers of spring; our beauty wastes with age or sickness. Riches are uncertain; glory is fickle. The pursuit of arts and sciences is bounded by the present life; the charm of eloquence, which all covet, reaches but the ear: whereas the practice of virtue is a precious possession for its owner, a delightful spectacle for all who witness it. Make this your study; so will you be worthy of the good things promised by the Lord.’

St. Basil the Great

‘There are three things which I am not able to do without: food, clothing and sleep; but I can restrict them to some extent.’

St. Poemen

 

[Bookcat]

Hi Bookcat,

Im not sure I know what you mean by being called in a personal way… ?

So far I see this from my own perpsective, as a comandment to follow him as it says in the word…

Certainly the word says, ‘Many are called but few chosen’ I suppose Im aiming at this if Im honest…

each person has a ‘personal vocation’…those things that make up his way of following Christ.

it is not a commandment…it is a counsel…of the Lord.

 

[Bookcat]

If you can enter the religious life, it is the counsel of scriptures to everyone to do so who can…

I always find the more I give away, the less I have, the better my spiritual life.

We should keep the necessities for our duties in life and self care otherwise do with very little…

A spartan life is a holier life…

it is still part and parcel of personal vocation and how we choose…

and as for a spratan life…it can be more holy…or not.

 

[Shin]

Should I sell my possessions and give to the Poor, then come follow Christ?

Does the church still teach this?

Ive been reading St. Cyprian and his paper on almsgiving and works, it has had an impact…

My concern is this, that I wont be labelled a ‘Weirdo’ for following through on my convictions?

Would the church support me in this? Or would they turn around and say that I did it needlessly…?

Advice please…

Thanks for mentioning St. Cyprian’s work, I am benefiting from reading it.

 

[JRKH]

Hi James,
Thanks for your imput…

I see you trying hard for me to keep my possessions

nope - Just trying to give you the best council I can.

Its sad to hear you say the church might stay neutral on this, bit I accept this, however then, my praise would not be from men, but from God in this case…

Why? “The Church” does not need to officially “pass” on the particular form of spirituality that you observe. The Church has provided various guidelines on certain aspects of spiritual practice (I don’t really know much about them). For instance there are strong precautions regarding mortification.

Well Im living a relatively sanctified life now, I would continue this and help others do the same… !! Attend church, carry on with my Charitable commitments, do smal group and continue to do good any way I can… oh yes continue to praise and thank God…!

Well then it would sound as though you would need to retain certain very basic things for the maintenance of your life, (housing, food, etc.)
Thanks for the clarification.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

it is important that those called to be in secular life…live the secular character of their vocation…

but one can live in various ways …the Gospel of Christ and his counsels…

 

[JRKH]

I have thought about this but I have History (mental health issues) and certainly need to adopt my holy Life for longer before I consider this…

But what options do I have?

Do you currently have a spiritual councilor?
If not I would suggest you look into it.
He/she would be of great help to you in discerning your vocation, as well as helping you understand and implement your plan to “sell all you have”.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

Do you currently have a spiritual councilor?
If not I would suggest you look into it.
He/she would be of great help to you in discerning your vocation, as well as helping you understand and implement your plan to “sell all you have”.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

Not everyone is called to live the gospel int his way, to this type of radical poverty.

Christ’s command was not for *every *person. Even in the early Church there were those that were prosperous-- they used their material wealth to serve the Church, for example those who supported St Paul’s journeys-- but did not sell all they owned and become itinerant.

Some people are, and if you think you might be then seek spiritual direction from a priest so that you can properly discern your call.

it is seen as a counsel not command.