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"Go, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor: and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."

Is this the doctrine of the Catholic Church, that I must sell all I own and give it to the poor to go to heaven? I thought Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, and Daniel had a lot of wealth they didn't sell and give to the poor.

53 posted on 09/28/2005 6:00:01 PM PDT by DocRock (Osama said, "We love death, the U.S. loves life, that is the main difference between us.")

Is this the doctrine of the Catholic Church, that I must sell all I own and give it to the poor to go to heaven?

Mark 10:17-22 is the direct answer from the mouth of Jesus. The doctrine of the Catholic Church is a corollary of it, and of other verses. ArrogantBustard and Sandyeggo gave an excellent and complete answer courtesy Gophack.

Specifically in relation to the Parable of the Rich Man the Church teaches that salvation is by faith which should be sustained by moral living, works of charity (the part you singled out), and carrying Christ's cross.