I thought I should write to you before thanksgiving to
let you know that, as you probably know, that I have
sold or given away most all of my possessions.  I don't want
you to be mad at me...because I have gotten rid of some
of the things you have given me.  I did this because Jesus
told his disciples to:

	Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
	Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
	a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted,
	where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
	For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
	Luke 12:33-34 (NIV)

God may not call everyone to do that, but He greatly
impressed these words on my heart.  And I thought you
may be upset with me to get rid of things that you have
given me...   But I assure you that it has nothing to do
with you, but everything to do with what my God would have
me to do.  So I have sold or given away my new car, my
laptop, my digital camera, many of my books, and even
the watch that you gave me, so that I have nothing left
of any value.

I think one reason Jesus asked people to do this, because
it is what He Himself did:

	For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,
	though he was rich,
	yet for your sakes he became poor,
	that ye through his poverty might be rich.
	2 Corinthians 8.9

Jesus went from being Creator of all things to a homeless man, that
we also might be rich.  And even the apostle Paul did the same thing:

	But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God...
	As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;
	as poor, yet making many rich;
	as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
	2 Corinthians 6:4,10

And even the early Church did the same thing:

	And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
	And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
	men, as every man had need.
	Acts 2:44-45

I assume the way I live may cause some problems with those around me,
but I have a deep joy and contentment about my life... as the apostle
Paul said "...as having nothing, and yet possessing all things...".
and King Solomon wrote "There is...one who makes himself poor,
yet has great riches."

I wanted you to be able to understand why I live the way I do.
"For to me, to live is Christ..."

love,
wes