Episode 5: Evangelical Poverty

Are we "possessed" by our possessions? If so, we may be driven to own and acquire even more, which can separate us from God. In this episode, Father Andrew explains how practicing "evangelical poverty" can help us let go of being "owned" by our material things and trust God to provide the essentials we need. Evangelical poverty helps us adopt a mindset of being "poor in spirit," which, as Jesus said, leads to inheriting the "kingdom of heaven." Furthermore, even the poor and the poor in spirit have a need to give and should find a way to contribute to their faith community based on the sacrifice, not the amount. Evangelical poverty provides a detachment of "self" that allows us to become closer to God. 

Father Andrew Kemberling is a parochial vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Northglenn, Colorado. For 14 years he was pastor at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, CO. With Mila Glodava, Director of Communications and Stewardship, he wrote the book "Making Stewardship a Way of Life: A Complete Guide for Catholic Parishes" (published by Our Sunday Visitor, 2009). The parish received many awards for its pioneering embrace of stewardship as a touchstone of parish life.  Fr. Andrew was born in Tucson, Arizona and joined the Benedictine order in 1985. He was ordained a priest in 1988.