By: Alex J. Nagem © August 6, 2025
Do you believe you are a follower of Jesus Christ? The most common answer will most likely be “yes.”
Now, a perplexing question: if we are followers of Jesus Christ, what must we do to get eternal life? Okay, again, the most common answer will be: we have obeyed, or at least tried to obey, the Ten Commandments, and loved God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We have loved our neighbors as ourselves. Do we get into Heaven? Possibly, or maybe the answer should be eventually.
Yet, there is one more thing we must do, as Jesus told the rich young man in Luke 18:22, “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
But in the very next verses, when the man walks away sad, Jesus doesn’t chase after him. He simply says: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24)
So, does that mean everyone must give up everything materially to follow Him?
Not necessarily — but everyone must be willing to give up everything.
This reminds me of a saying a friend of mine, Andy Schreiber, told me many years ago about a couple going through a divorce where one party wants more of the personal belongings than the other is willing to give up: “It is only stuff (rephrased from the profane word for defecation), and you can always buy more stuff.”
So, what does the Church teach about detachment?
If you take time to study this question—whether through Church teaching, Scripture, or trusted Catholic sources—you’ll discover that detachment has been a core theme in Christian spirituality from the beginning. As seen in the Gospel of Luke and echoed by countless saints, detachment is not about rejecting the material world, but about refusing to let it rule our hearts. In essence, to be detached means to live in freedom from anything that would control us—possessions, ambitions, status, or comforts—so that we can be fully available to love and serve God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. [Lk 6:24] “Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (CCC 2547)
St. John of the Cross, master of detachment, writes:
“To reach satisfaction in all, desire satisfaction in nothing. To come to possess all, desire the possession of nothing.” (Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book 1, Chapter 13)
So, what does it mean to follow Jesus fully?
- Put God first — above wealth, comfort, relationships, plans, and even yourself (Luke 14:26-33).
- Surrender everything to God’s will — entrust your entire life – your desires, plans, struggles, relationships, and even your understanding to God, believing that His will is wiser, better, and more loving than your own.
- Live as a steward, not an owner — of your time, talents, and possessions (Matthew 25:14–30).
These are three good questions to ask ourselves periodically, say, once a month:
- Is there anything I would refuse to let go of if Christ asked me?
- Do my possessions serve the Kingdom — or do they distract or enslave me?
- Are my hopes and security in Christ — or money, success, or reputation?
Final Word
Jesus doesn’t want your possessions — He wants your heart. But if your possessions are coming between you and Him, then yes, He may call you to let it go.
For some, like St. Francis of Assisi, that meant giving away everything. For others, like St. Joseph of Arimathea, it meant using wealth for God’s glory, His purposes..
The question isn’t, “Do I have to give everything up?” It’s, “Is there anything I’m holding tighter than God?”
True Christian detachment doesn’t always mean giving everything away — it means being free to give anything away, should God ask.
You and your families are remembered in my daily prayers, as I hope my family and I are remembered in yours.
Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit
Alex J. Nagem