Monks and Nuns Are the Only Ones Who ‘Own Nothing and Are Happy’

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:32-34)

The only ones who own nothing and are happy are those who choose to do so voluntarily. Such are monks, nuns, and hermits. They have decided to live a life dedicated to God. With their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience (the vows of religion), they are following in the footsteps of many saints and Christ Himself. This kind of life is dedicated to prayer and work – ora et labora as St Benedict would say.

The ‘You will own nothing and be happy’ by Klaus Schwab et al. is a fake copy of the original characteristics of monastic life. Nobody can be forced to own nothing and then be happy. Families, for example, need possessions – a home, ideally a garden, a vehicle, books, games, tools, so that parents can fulfil their duties and children can develop in the best possible way.

Forbidding anyone to own a home or grow their own food is tyrannical. Moreover, the tyrants will be those who will own what should belong to you and your family.

However, when someone voluntarily decides to own nothing, he gives up worldly possessions because he has found a ‘treasure’ that is more valuable than earthly things.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:43)

Monks and nuns even go a step further and give up the prospect of marrying and having a family, or being in any romantic relationship. Giving up earthly attachments results in them being free and happy. This is only because their love for God is greater than the love for worldly things.

Forcing poverty on people is a selfish and arrogant act that is probably always associated with criminality. Take a look at communism in the former Eastern Bloc. People were forced to own nothing – they were not allowed to run a private business, own property or a piece of land. If someone dared to cultivate a field to grow vegetables to feed their own children, they could end up in the Gulag for acting against soviet beliefs.

At the same time, those who force others to own nothing usually live a life of privilege and luxury.

If you think multi-billionaires like Schwab, Prince Charles etc. who promote the ‘great reset’, where you will ‘own nothing and be happy’, are being kind and idealistic, and have the best for the planet at heart, take a closer look.

These kinds of elites are members of the World Economic Forum who travel to Switzerland in private jets, get driven around in big cars, feed upon the most elaborate food and own more than one mansion. They are also rich enough to pay the CHF 60’000—CHF 600,000 (£50,595—£505,954) WEF membership fee and the annual meetings at an extra cost.

Perhaps we would take them more seriously if they led by example, lived in monastery cells, walked around barefoot in sandals, fasted regularly and praised God.

“Thus you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7;20)