Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33
“Riches ought to be used in a reasonable way, and it is necessary to overcome avarice and share them generously with others . . .We must continually repeat those amazing words of the Lord: ‘Sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, where there are neither robbers nor rust.’ [cf. Matthew 19:21; 6:20] The truly rich are not those who keep their riches to themselves but those who give to others. Happiness comes not from possessing wealth but from giving it away. Whatever is generously given away becomes a fruit of the soul. It therefore becomes the soul’s wealth.”
Clement of Alexandria in The Teacher, 3.6 (PG8, 604) in Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: A Patristic Breviary, Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World, ed. by Thomas Spidlik (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1994) 294-295.
The Teacher, Clement, helps us discern richly that giving is the necessary step to overcoming the power of avarice in our lives. We discover that rather than hoarding riches, we get to enjoy and share them. And at least two things happen when we do this. On earth we experience happiness and in heaven we store up true wealth.
I want to make a suggestion today. The teacher called the command of Jesus “amazing” not because it robs us but because it shows us the path to true riches. Take some time to meditate on today’s Scripture above and the one in the quote. What action does this exercise inspire you to do? Whatever it is, go do it following the leading of the Spirit.
It is necessary to obey with open hands to overcome avarice. If you want inspiration and you like podcasts, click to hear me on the Robert Martin “Bigger Questions” show recorded on my last trip to Melbourne, Australia. It It’s called “Why be generous?” Enjoy!