"If anyone by divine inspiration wishes to embrace this life and comes to our brothers, let him be kindly received by them. And if he remains constant in his resolve to accept our life, the brothers are to be careful not to meddle in his temporal affairs, but they are to present him as soon as possible to their own minister. Let the minister receive him kindly and encourage him and diligently explain to him the nature of our life. After this, if he is willing and able to do it in conscience and is without legal impediments, he is to sell whatever he has and set about giving the sum to the poor." --St. Francis, Rule of 1221, Chapter IIThe key to this way of life is in the first sentence: by divine inspiration. I've taken on leadership roles in the church and community through the years which could only be by divine inspiration because I am by nature shy. Along with divine inspiration comes the ability to overcome any obstacle that you might otherwise feel prevents you from doing the thing. So while it may sound difficult to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, it would not be so if you have been divinely inspired to do so.
