Do you have too much stuff?

Do we really have to sell what we have and give it to the poor in order to have "treasure in heaven," in order to follow Jesus, as we hear him tell the Rich Young Man in the Gospel? (Matthew 19:21) 

Really? Just how much of our stuff is Jesus talking about? What if we become poor ourselves? That doesn't sound like a great plan, does it?

In Rerum Novarum (Paragrarph 22), an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, this question is answered. 

In this great document the Pope turns to that great Doctor of the Church, Thomas Aquinas for clarification:

"'It is lawful,' says St. Thomas Aquinas, 'for a man to hold private property; and it is also necessary for the carrying on of human existence.' But if the question be asked: How must one's possessions be used? - the Church replies without hesitation in the words of the same holy Doctor: 'Man should not consider his material possessions as his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need.'"

Don't overlook that last sentence--our possessions are not our own, but common to all. Especially the poor. Look around you and see what you have that is beyond what you need. All of that does not belong to you.

Rerum Novarum continues on this note in Paragraph 22:

" . . . when what necessity demands has been supplied, and one's standing fairly taken thought for, it becomes a duty to give to the indigent out of what remains over. 'Of that which remaineth, give alms.' It is a duty, not of justice (save in extreme cases), but of Christian charity - a duty not enforced by human law."

Oh yes, there's more:

"To sum up, then, what has been said: Whoever has received from the divine bounty a large share of temporal blessings, whether they be external and material, or gifts of the mind, has received them for the purpose of using them for the perfecting of his own nature, and, at the same time, that he may employ them, as the steward of God's providence, for the benefit of others."

Here's the snapshot:  Keep what you need for your sustenance (and your family's).  All the rest you need to share with those in need, the poor. If God has blessed you in any way, be sure you are using your possessions to benefit others.

Having heard this, ask yourself what you are attached to, that is beyond your necessity, that you would have a hard time letting go? How do you justify your many possessions?

I think most of us have a lot of work to do in this regard, but who said following Jesus would be easy? He tells the Rich Young Man to go and do this and THEN come follow him.

There is great freedom in detachment, and it is THE way to truly follow Jesus.

Look around you. What might you give away or sell, to help someone else?  How many pairs of shoes do you need? How many coats? How many "toys"? Are you overly focused on material things? Are you collecting more than you need, that someone else could use?

This commentary on the Rich Young Man isn't meant to inflict guilt. No, not at all. It is meant to encourage us to recognize that disciples of Jesus live differently. They hold a strong preference towards the poor. And this perspective isn't embraced out of guilt, but love.

I strongly encourage you to listen to Bishop Robert Barron's speech, given at the Eucharistic Congress this summer. It is not only insightful, but motivating as well.

You can find the external link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wwO9JxiMCM

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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Click to watch Bishop Barron's excellent speech: