Possessions

One of the most heroic forms of trust is found in an unquestioning dependence on the Lord for material needs. Repeatedly this is reflected in the inspiring lives of saints committed to a spirit of poverty. Many of them, especially founders of religious groups and various charitable institutions, undertook great Spirit-inspired endeavors (not offhanded human aspirations) with an almost reckless dependence on the Lord to provide everything necessary, at just the right moment, for their God-supported plans. They signed contracts for enormous amounts of money with no cash, no credit, and no anxiety. With blissful simplicity they “welcomed the kingdom of God like a little child” (Mk 20:15) while awaiting the downpour of material resources from God’s beneficence, usually bestowed at the very deadline of absolute need. The Lord “saves the needy . . . so the poor have hope” (Jb 5:15). 

On a lesser scale, the ancient and modern hagiographies are rife with accounts of such things as communities sitting down to dinner around an empty pot, offering thanks, and then answering a knock at the door to find a donor with an extra roasted goose or some other welcome food for which they had already said grace. I have had the privilege of personally witnessing several edifying events like this myself, among spirit-filled communities that had been gifted with the grace of unquestioning trust in the Lord.

It seems that the Lord rewards such trusting souls with need-fulfillment, but only as a teaser to remind them that their wants and not just their needs will be fulfilled in the future new age of the earth’s restoration after Christ’s second coming, as described by prophets like Isaiah (54:13): “Great shall be the prosperity of your children.” That may have been a preview of the promised reward for those who pass Jesus’ “prosperity test”: “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Mt 25:21)

This excerpt is from the book Pathways of Trust, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.