This seems to be a root question when confronted with the gospel command to give to the poor. How much do I really need to live?
If I am too busy chasing wealth and building my nest egg, then I have no time for the needy, and in some cases I can’t even see the needs. Wealth can separate us from exposure to the poor. And the pursuit of wealth can separate us from ourselves and the real pursuit of happiness.
How do I break free of the fear that what I have will run out? When am I just being prudent and when have I crossed over into building bigger barns and false prudence?
The parable of the rich man and Poor Lazarus is perhaps the most challenging of the whole gospel. What is the hell that this rich man cannot return from?
The isolation he created by his life choices and his use of wealth was not reversible. By stepping over the poor man each day, he effectively declined his invitation to heaven, and locked himself out through this habit of not seeing, not being aware.
The poor are Gods gift to the rich. They are an invitation to step through our isolation, our fear, and our desire to protect ourselves. To just donate money from a distance may not be enough, we must embrace and engage with the poor or how else can we discern that question: How much do I really need?
As M. Teresa used to say, poor are all around us. But can we see them? Can we see our own spiritual poverty? This may be the first is the first step to solidarity with the poor.