Who do you think a happy person is? According to the worldly standard, a person who owns a lot more than others is happy. But this will be true only if the person will be able to spend what he possesses. If the person had only a few days left in his life while he owns a beautiful estate with a billion dollars in the bank, would you call him happy? Many will call him a poor man. In this sense, a person who can spend much more than others is happier. A person who can enjoy and spend the most would be the happiest. But do we always love and respect those who sumptuously spend all the time? Many will be jealous of them. And when these people spend money and things for their pleasure, possessiveness, or pride, others are likely to despise them. Even if you could spend so much for yourself but find yourself so despised and hated, would you call yourself a happy person? In this sense, a person who can give others the most would be the happiest. People will appreciate his generosity. But what is the point of having so much if you have to give it all out to others?
The one who does not own anything will be the happiest. First, he doesn’t have to worry about guarding his possessions safe. Don’t you think we spend too much on insurance? And insurance companies command us to follow all kinds of protocols to safeguard our properties at the expense of our freedom. Second, if you don’t have to spend a lot, you will not waste it. Landfills are a new phenomenon of modern eras. All pollution come from our wasteful and consumerist habits. Third, a poor person is not likely to fall into favouritism or to be blamed for partiality. We often see a rich parent only have disgruntled children at his death.
Jesus was born poor and exercised poverty all his life. He asked his disciples not to depend on money and wealth in their ministry. St John, in his letter, as we hear in today’s reading, warns about the love for the world. The desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride in riches all end up in possession. Even good-willed people suffer many headaches because of their wealth. Only the truly wise can exercise poverty.
