Vow of Poverty.

When I hear or read the term "vow of poverty" I think of the different orders of monks who take such a vow, and then live in a monastic community.

For those of us who don't think we are called to monastic life, a different idea is needed than to share all things in common, including the building one lives in.

I think it more a matter of keeping an open heart and wallet, to help those in need that come your way. OR going out with your heart and wallet open to give to those in need.

As one brother has pointed out to me, the homeless need more than their shopping list filled, clothes, food, bathes, clothes washed, medical services and such. Don't get me wrong all of these are necessary. But if all we do is give the homeless things, how are we really helping them? In some way this will just enable some of them to stay on the streets and be comfortable. Again, I am not saying not to give material goods to the needy. I think it imperative that we do so. But we must realize that these are just temporary measures.

What a hungry man needs is fish to eat. We can give him a fish and feed him one time, or we can teach him to fish and he will eat for life. My thoughts recently have been what is teaching to fish to the homeless. What do the homeless need to get back into society?

I think the answer lies in community and here is where I get back to the vow of poverty idea I opened with. The Shakers had a philosophy, "To live simply that others might just live." They  chose to live in community and share all things in common and give away their excess to the needy. Too bad they also took a vow of chastity, even married couples, the last Shaker died out a few years ago.

We can only give out of a position of wealth. We can not give away what we do not have, at least not legally. We can not give away our neighbor's car to someone without a car, no matter how badly they need one. We could buy a car from our neighbor and give it to one in need. But to give it away with out buying it is theft.

I have seen the homeless give away items that were given to them, to someone else who could use it. They gave from the wealth, the extra that they had to one who needed it. Wealth is not about how much you have. It is about how much you have period. It is not about being a millionaire or billionaire. If you have a dollar in your pocket your wealth is $1.

An abundance is anything more than you need to live on. Here is where I see the crux of the matter. Too many in this country and others live above their means. Carry way too much debt, and by doing so are slaves for the banks and lending institutions, they work to pay off their credit card and other debts.

Many I have been around have prayed that the Lord would bless them with more wealth. One of the latest is to pray the prayer of Jabez;

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (NIV) (1Chron. 4:9,10 )

Or in other words, Lord make me more wealthy. Yet many of these are living in debt. If God did give them more they would just qualify for more debt. This type of praying is not the answer and only leads to more greed, IMHO.

The answer lies in first understanding that all the universe belongs to the creator, God. And every thing we hold, even our own self and life belongs to God. We are merely stewards of the material things we possess. When we are in right relationship with God and our King Jesus, we see that we hold his goods and must act in obedience to Him, that we might be pleasing in all of our ways to our Lord.

As stewards of God's material possessions, we must be willing to do with them as he directs. Jesus clearly taught to give to the poor.  "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (NIV) (Luke 6:30 ) I think this means that when that homeless person asks you for money you give it to them. I have had a number of people ask me for money. Most often they are asking for a dollar or two. Some of the guys work the bus stops asking for a dollar for bus fare.

Jesus said to give to everyone who asks you. Jesus did not say to judge whether or not they will misuse the money, did he? No, he said to give to EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU. As a steward of God's money, should we not do as He commanded us? Jim has questions about the trinity, but those of you who believe in the trinity teaching also hold that Jesus is God the Son. So where we have a clear command from Jesus it is a command from God. God says to use the money he has placed in your stewardship and give it to everyone who asks for it.

I can't think of a more clear command to give, to help the homeless when they ask you for money. If you think to offer a meal instead and they accept it, great. But don't disobey Jesus because you are judging the person asking you for a dollar or two.

I will continue to post more on this subject.