Saint Francis of Assisi: "poverty is a straight road to salvation"
Source: Washbourne 1882
You know, my beloved Brethren, that Poverty is the queen of virtues, because it shone so brightly in the King of kings, and in the Queen, His Mother. Know, my Brethren, that Poverty is the straight road to salvation, the nurse of humility, the root of perfection ; its fruits are numerous, but hidden.
This is the treasure buried in the evangelical field, to purchase which all should be sold, and what cannot be sold should be despised. Whoever wishes to attain to perfect Poverty must renounce not only all worldly prudence, but also in some degree all literary acquirements, that so, stripped of all things, he may enter into the power of God, and, naked, offer himself into the arms of the Crucified.
No one has perfectly renounced the world who reserves the most secret place in his heart for his self-love. Let holy Poverty, therefore, shine among you, and principally in the houses you build, remembering the words of the Gospel : “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have their nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His Head.”
Therefore, build poor little houses as poor people should ; which you must not look upon as your own, but as the property of others, and dwell therein as strangers and pilgrims. For pilgrims are accustomed to abide under strange roofs, to sigh for their country, and to proceed peacefully on their way.
This evangelical Poverty is the foundation of our Order, on which the whole structure of Religion so depends, that by its solidity it is sustained, and by its weakness it is overturned. Inasmuch as the Brethren turn away from holy Poverty, so much will the world turn away from them ; they shall seek for its help, but not find it. If they embrace my Lady Poverty, the world will nourish them ; because they are sent for the salvation of the world. This is the treaty between the Brethren and the world : they owe good example to the world, and the world owes them their necessary subsistence ; but if they cease to give good example, the world will justly refuse to support them.