Temporal needs and poverty

[Brigid]

Do not imagine, my sisters, that if you do not try to please the world, you will have nothing to eat. I assure you that you are wrong. Never seek to support yourselves by human devices, for if you do, you will die of hunger, and it will serve you right. All eyes on your Spouse; He has to provide for you; if He be pleased, though they may be unwilling, those who are least devoted to you will give you to eat, as you have seen by experience.


St. Teresa of Avila

[Shin]

I love St. Teresa of Jesus, 'And it will serve you right.' 

I have heard another quote like this, I must go find it! 

[Patricia]

Do not imagine, my sisters, that if you do not try to please the world, you will have nothing to eat. I assure you that you are wrong. Never seek to support yourselves by human devices, for if you do, you will die of hunger, and it will serve you right. All eyes on your Spouse; He has to provide for you; if He be pleased, though they may be unwilling, those who are least devoted to you will give you to eat, as you have seen by experience.

St. Teresa of Avila

This quote summarizes the need for confidence in God.  I have met many people who have told me of how they love to keep in touch with people by socializing etc. as they may one day need their help in some way in the future.   But we need to get rid of this fear that without the influence of people we will be ruined or not get a job.    God is the King and Master of the universe.

[Brigid]

Do not imagine, my sisters, that if you do not try to please the world, you will have nothing to eat. I assure you that you are wrong. Never seek to support yourselves by human devices, for if you do, you will die of hunger, and it will serve you right. All eyes on your Spouse; He has to provide for you; if He be pleased, though they may be unwilling, those who are least devoted to you will give you to eat, as you have seen by experience.

St. Teresa of Avila

This quote summarizes the need for confidence in God.  I have met many people who have told me of how they love to keep in touch with people by socializing etc. as they may one day need their help in some way in the future.   But we need to get rid of this fear that without the influence of people we will be ruined or not get a job.    God is the King and Master of the universe.

Yes, Patricia however Our Lord says,  "And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. [9] And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings."

St. Luke 16:8-9

[martin]

Yes, Patricia however Our Lord says,  "And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. [9] And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings."

St. Luke 16:8-9

Even though the Lord told this parable using a worldly situation, I think He was really telling us to use everything, including money, to the advantage of our souls and not so much for our material welfare.
Being prudent in a worldly way may improve our temporal situation but the better way is to put all our trust in God and give up worrying over the things of this world.
Prudence is good to a point but can make us rely much on our own abilities. Simplicity and confidence in God's providence is a greater thing than prudence.

Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment?
Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature by one cubit?
And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.
And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith? Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:26-34)

The confidence of the Christian soul rests in perfect abandonment to God, above and beyond every consideration of human prudence. Oh, what happiness to walk in this perfect dependence upon a sovereign providence, remaining continually under the Divine protection.
                St Jane Frances de Chantal

[Bailey2]

thank you!   

[Brigid]

Even though the Lord told this parable using a worldly situation, I think He was really telling us to use everything, including money, to the advantage of our souls and not so much for our material welfare.
Being prudent in a worldly way may improve our temporal situation but the better way is to put all our trust in God and give up worrying over the things of this world.
Prudence is good to a point but can make us rely much on our own abilities. Simplicity and confidence in God's providence is a greater thing than prudence.

This is so well put, Martin. I see a red cap in your future!