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Happy are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom
To the modern mind, the concept of poverty is often confused with destitution. But destitution emphatically is not the Gospel ideal. A love-filled sharing frugality is the message, and Happy Are You Poor explains the meaning of this beatitude lived and taught by Jesus himself. But isn't simplicity in lifestyle meant only for nuns and priests? Are not all of us to enjoy the goodness and beauties of our magnificent creation? Are parents to be frugal with the children they love so much? The renowned spiritual writer Dubay gives surprising replies to these questions. He explains how material things are like extensions of our persons and thus of our love. If everyone lived this love there would be no destitution. After presenting the richness of the Gospel message, more beautiful than any other world view, he explains how Gospel frugality is lived in each state of life.
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
142 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Dubay
30 books75 followersFather Thomas Dubay, S.M., was a well-known retreat master and expert in the spiritual life.
A Marist Priest, Father took a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America and taught at major seminary level for about fifteen years. He spent the last three decades giving retreats and writing books (over twenty at last count) on various aspects of the spiritual life.
He is an expert on the teachings and writings of the two mystical doctors of the Church, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
A Marist Priest, Father took a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America and taught at major seminary level for about fifteen years. He spent the last three decades giving retreats and writing books (over twenty at last count) on various aspects of the spiritual life.
He is an expert on the teachings and writings of the two mystical doctors of the Church, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
June 6, 2025
In the words of my dear friend, Matt Hogg, “This book is excellent and might ruin your life if it hasn’t already.”
Challenging, raw, and honest. Gospel poverty is certainly worth discussing and we should not be afraid to radically live the Gospel. It is only possible to do so though when we have fallen madly in love with God, forgetting ourselves and the world for the sake of our beloved who first loved us and constantly wills our joy.
Here’s to getting rid of half my closet to start experiencing greater simplicity! Poco a poco homies.
Challenging, raw, and honest. Gospel poverty is certainly worth discussing and we should not be afraid to radically live the Gospel. It is only possible to do so though when we have fallen madly in love with God, forgetting ourselves and the world for the sake of our beloved who first loved us and constantly wills our joy.
Here’s to getting rid of half my closet to start experiencing greater simplicity! Poco a poco homies.
December 22, 2024
This book was recommended to me by Word on Fire’s Brandon Vogt, whom I very much admire, but unfortunately I found it seriously shallow.
It’s a book that would work well if it was directed only at the clergy. But the fact that it’s written for everyone makes it ridiculously bad.
Summary: “All of you have to give away ALL your possessions tomorrow to the poor, except for the 2 or 3 things you need to avoid being “seriously destitute and dirty”, and everything should be held as common goods, for everybody.”
Cool! Ok. Not in the least what the fathers of the Church have been saying for 2,000 years, when reflecting upon the gospel, but let’s pretend he’s right and let’s follow along.
Also: let’s ignore the many canonized saints who were, in fact, very wealthy during their lives, until their death, like St. Thomas More, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Louis IX, etc.
But let’s pretend for a moment.
Ok! Given all away. Done.
Now that we have all done this, let’s take a look around: what economic system do we have in the country at this point? A sort of communism, right? Should we remind Fr. Dubay how spectacularly well communism works as a form of government?
His only small excuse is that he hadn’t seen some of the consequences of those regimes, as he wrote this book in 1981.
Honestly, I looked frantically for at least one sentence in the book where the author stated that you should not always give away all the possessions you have that you don’t very strictly need, but I couldn’t find it.
Here’s what will happen if you follow the author’s advice:
1). you will cause serious harm to yourself, by not being able to cover your healthcare and education costs, especially in the US.
2). you will cause serious harm to your family, by not being able to cover healthcare and education costs for your children, especially in the US.
3). you will cause serious damage to the economy, and you probably won’t have a paid job anymore. Of course, this is applicable on an exponential level, when thousands or millions of people lose their marbles after reading this book and pretend they are S. Francis. Because:
a) in this crazy utopia described by Fr. Dubay, no one would be able to HIRE you anymore, because they would lack the capital to invest in a business. They would have given that capital away, to the poor. Sorry. No capital, no investment. No investment, no entrepreneurship, no business. No business, no job for you. Have fun working for the KGB equivalent or picking blueberries in a commune.
b). the consumer economy, the same one that has lifted millions of people from extreme poverty (See the UN’s Millennium Goals) needs the consumer. A responsible, charitable and judicious consumer is what the gospel is asking for. Jesus is asking us to become saints, but is he also asking us all to become priests? I don’t think that would make sense. The difference in the economic management of your life is immense, it’s drastic.
4). Every adult person in America would need to work for USPS. At some point, the poor wouldn’t be poor anymore, and they would need to send back to you the things that you gave them when they were poor and that they don’t ‘strictly’ need. But now you have stuff that you don’t need again, so you need to ship them back again to them. And so on, ad infinitum.
When addressed by the rich young man, Jesus tells him to give away all his possessions only after he sees the man struggling within his soul and with his own spiritual journey: all that he was doing was not enough for him, and he was too attached to his wealth. He wanted to be perfect. Ok. But every deep biblical scholar that I’ve read does not interpret that new testament passage as a blanket call to radical poverty for all humanity. That would mean stripping away from humanity immense God’s gifts: art (paintings, architecture, cinema), entrepreneurship and global cooperation that have been made possible throughout history only by capital. Everyone poor = no capital = none of those things are possible. No industrial revolution, either. Think about the consequences of that.
Also, every serious biblical scholar I’ve read, including Brandon’s boss, Bishop Barron, is careful to interpret “poverty” in the gospel as lack of money, yes, but also as a broader concept than lack of money. It could be lack of privileges. It could be lack of good looks. It’s something earthly, material, that you have less than others. That makes a lot of sense. And that’s why the more articulated beatitude is found in Matthew (“blessed are the poor in spirit”), which is often interpreted close to something like humility, while it comes through dangerously simplified in Luke (“blessed are the poor”).
But wait, there is more bad: a tone of needless aggression towards lay people runs throughout the book, and I wonder if we should be seeing a very prideful man behind the sanctimonious paragraphs. Yes, there can be pride in giving things away, too. And a certain sadistic pleasure in writing with the tone of a zealous policeman.
Most likely, though, Fr. Dubay’s fault was not pride. It was simply ignorance. Heart in the right place.
Rest in peace.
What stays with me is that same spark that prompted me to ask for suggestions for books that talk about poverty. I know there is always more that I can do to be more open and generous, and I will keep working on it.
It’s a book that would work well if it was directed only at the clergy. But the fact that it’s written for everyone makes it ridiculously bad.
Summary: “All of you have to give away ALL your possessions tomorrow to the poor, except for the 2 or 3 things you need to avoid being “seriously destitute and dirty”, and everything should be held as common goods, for everybody.”
Cool! Ok. Not in the least what the fathers of the Church have been saying for 2,000 years, when reflecting upon the gospel, but let’s pretend he’s right and let’s follow along.
Also: let’s ignore the many canonized saints who were, in fact, very wealthy during their lives, until their death, like St. Thomas More, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Louis IX, etc.
But let’s pretend for a moment.
Ok! Given all away. Done.
Now that we have all done this, let’s take a look around: what economic system do we have in the country at this point? A sort of communism, right? Should we remind Fr. Dubay how spectacularly well communism works as a form of government?
His only small excuse is that he hadn’t seen some of the consequences of those regimes, as he wrote this book in 1981.
Honestly, I looked frantically for at least one sentence in the book where the author stated that you should not always give away all the possessions you have that you don’t very strictly need, but I couldn’t find it.
Here’s what will happen if you follow the author’s advice:
1). you will cause serious harm to yourself, by not being able to cover your healthcare and education costs, especially in the US.
2). you will cause serious harm to your family, by not being able to cover healthcare and education costs for your children, especially in the US.
3). you will cause serious damage to the economy, and you probably won’t have a paid job anymore. Of course, this is applicable on an exponential level, when thousands or millions of people lose their marbles after reading this book and pretend they are S. Francis. Because:
a) in this crazy utopia described by Fr. Dubay, no one would be able to HIRE you anymore, because they would lack the capital to invest in a business. They would have given that capital away, to the poor. Sorry. No capital, no investment. No investment, no entrepreneurship, no business. No business, no job for you. Have fun working for the KGB equivalent or picking blueberries in a commune.
b). the consumer economy, the same one that has lifted millions of people from extreme poverty (See the UN’s Millennium Goals) needs the consumer. A responsible, charitable and judicious consumer is what the gospel is asking for. Jesus is asking us to become saints, but is he also asking us all to become priests? I don’t think that would make sense. The difference in the economic management of your life is immense, it’s drastic.
4). Every adult person in America would need to work for USPS. At some point, the poor wouldn’t be poor anymore, and they would need to send back to you the things that you gave them when they were poor and that they don’t ‘strictly’ need. But now you have stuff that you don’t need again, so you need to ship them back again to them. And so on, ad infinitum.
When addressed by the rich young man, Jesus tells him to give away all his possessions only after he sees the man struggling within his soul and with his own spiritual journey: all that he was doing was not enough for him, and he was too attached to his wealth. He wanted to be perfect. Ok. But every deep biblical scholar that I’ve read does not interpret that new testament passage as a blanket call to radical poverty for all humanity. That would mean stripping away from humanity immense God’s gifts: art (paintings, architecture, cinema), entrepreneurship and global cooperation that have been made possible throughout history only by capital. Everyone poor = no capital = none of those things are possible. No industrial revolution, either. Think about the consequences of that.
Also, every serious biblical scholar I’ve read, including Brandon’s boss, Bishop Barron, is careful to interpret “poverty” in the gospel as lack of money, yes, but also as a broader concept than lack of money. It could be lack of privileges. It could be lack of good looks. It’s something earthly, material, that you have less than others. That makes a lot of sense. And that’s why the more articulated beatitude is found in Matthew (“blessed are the poor in spirit”), which is often interpreted close to something like humility, while it comes through dangerously simplified in Luke (“blessed are the poor”).
But wait, there is more bad: a tone of needless aggression towards lay people runs throughout the book, and I wonder if we should be seeing a very prideful man behind the sanctimonious paragraphs. Yes, there can be pride in giving things away, too. And a certain sadistic pleasure in writing with the tone of a zealous policeman.
Most likely, though, Fr. Dubay’s fault was not pride. It was simply ignorance. Heart in the right place.
Rest in peace.
What stays with me is that same spark that prompted me to ask for suggestions for books that talk about poverty. I know there is always more that I can do to be more open and generous, and I will keep working on it.
April 5, 2023
“Unless we are converted and become as little as a child, there is no possibility of getting to God. If I am filled with myself, married to my own idea and ways of doing things, convinced that somehow I am the hub of the universe, there is of course no room in me for being filled with God, for accepting or even desiring his wisdom, for making him my center of gravity. Indeed, sensitivity to the divine is dependent on humility. And poverty has a great deal to do with humility. ”
He who has ears ought to hear. This book proposes some incredibly challenging ideas on poverty. I am more convicted than ever for the need to live poverty in a radical way. It is not an option, but a requirement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He who has ears ought to hear. This book proposes some incredibly challenging ideas on poverty. I am more convicted than ever for the need to live poverty in a radical way. It is not an option, but a requirement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 18, 2022
Absolutely scathing. This is a definite must-read for a profound examination on one's attachments to worldly goods. Every chapter was something that I did not want to hear. Would highly recommend.
December 10, 2007
this will go down as one of the best, if not the best, books on the spiritual life i've ever encountered. on a macro level, most of the text meditates on how the reader should actually take its title completely seriously. and then it talks about how ridiculous that sounds and how un-modern it would be to live a sharing-sparing life in devoted spiritual poverty. on a micro level, fr. dubay shows the insides and outs of what this call of radicality is and who it's for as he unpacks such loaded Christian figures as 'faith' and 'poor in spirit'. essentially, this book attempts to take the clothes off of the gospel we've hidden and encourages us to taste anew. dubay challenges us to clear room in our lives that God can fill. identifying superfluities and going without them has never looked so beautiful.
September 10, 2020
One of the most challenging books I’ve ever read, by one of the best spiritual authors I’ve read. Can’t recommend enough.
March 29, 2025
Review edit after second read- this really is a good, important book. I’m surprised I thought it was dry and repetitive the first time, but maybe my reading life has changed enough over the past 3 years that I’ve grown to appreciate it more.
It was repetitive and dry, but the message had some strong points. Maybe not the ones he intended to be strongest, but there were certainly some nuggets for contemplation. I was pleasantly surprised that it lent itself to a fruitful book club discussion.
It was repetitive and dry, but the message had some strong points. Maybe not the ones he intended to be strongest, but there were certainly some nuggets for contemplation. I was pleasantly surprised that it lent itself to a fruitful book club discussion.
March 3, 2024
@Sean, finally finished! I am all about poverty and dependence on the Lord, but the way it was written was a bit off putting and uncharitable. This book is radical and definitely a call to reflection on materialism and attachment. The style was also not my favorite… hence why it took me 4 months to finish. Great references and Saint quotes, but again not the most organized or fluid in presentation. It did have a helpful examen at the end!
July 20, 2022
An absolute scorcher; great read for restless/unhappy times. The hole in you is not something wrong to hide, but something to fill rightly. Kudos to Madelyn for making me aware the book existed :)
"Am I in love with God? If not, why not? What else matters?"
"Where honestly is my center of gravity? Of what do I like to speak when I have a willing listener?"
"Do I tend to equate my level of to be with my level of to have...my worth with my possessions?"
"Do I place my security in things rather than in God?"
"Am I sensitive to the fact that my deepest hunger is not for things but for Everything?"
"Am I in love with God? If not, why not? What else matters?"
"Where honestly is my center of gravity? Of what do I like to speak when I have a willing listener?"
"Do I tend to equate my level of to be with my level of to have...my worth with my possessions?"
"Do I place my security in things rather than in God?"
"Am I sensitive to the fact that my deepest hunger is not for things but for Everything?"
June 3, 2024
One of my top five books now! This sums it up:
“Now we must ask why frugality embraced in faith brings joy. Few people would consider the answer obvious. To see clearly we must delve deeply. Down in the inner recesses of the human spirit there is a center that opens on to infinity. We basically hunger not for things but for everything. We thirst not for drips and dabs but for the originating fountain. Our deepest hungers are not for food or drink, not for amusements and recreations, not for property and wardrobes, not for notoriety and gossip.
We hunger for truth, we thirst to drink beauty, we yearn to celebrate, we seek to delight, we stretch out to love and to be loved.
That is why anything less than everything is not enough.”
“Now we must ask why frugality embraced in faith brings joy. Few people would consider the answer obvious. To see clearly we must delve deeply. Down in the inner recesses of the human spirit there is a center that opens on to infinity. We basically hunger not for things but for everything. We thirst not for drips and dabs but for the originating fountain. Our deepest hungers are not for food or drink, not for amusements and recreations, not for property and wardrobes, not for notoriety and gossip.
We hunger for truth, we thirst to drink beauty, we yearn to celebrate, we seek to delight, we stretch out to love and to be loved.
That is why anything less than everything is not enough.”
July 13, 2024
I want to reread this book several more times….i just want alllll of it ingrained in my memory.
May 17, 2024
Well, I have a lot to work on.
The author does not wax poetic about gospel poverty, which was refreshing, and includes so many wonderful examples from the lives of saints. A total rejection of our society of excess.
“one who seeks what he does not need is devoid of the pure delight God reserves for those who seek him undividedly” (110).
The author does not wax poetic about gospel poverty, which was refreshing, and includes so many wonderful examples from the lives of saints. A total rejection of our society of excess.
“one who seeks what he does not need is devoid of the pure delight God reserves for those who seek him undividedly” (110).
October 14, 2021
3.5 stars.
I appreciate Fr Thomas Dubay's clarity and depth when it comes to theology. His book "And You Are Christ's" was a gem that gave me a lot of food for prayer and reflection.
Happy Are You Poor tackles an important and under-talked-about issue: Christian poverty. I don't think that Dubay was as thorough and careful in his reasoning in this book as I found him to be in others. Part of the problem may lie in the distinction between recommendations and requirements (or in theological terms, "counsels" and "precepts"). In my opinion, Dubay identifies certain principles as precepts (i.e. required for all Christians) that are actually only counsels (i.e. recommendations).
He also makes some unsubstantiated assertions. The biggest one in my opinion is that all Christians are obliged to give away their money and possessions to the point of reaching "a rough equality" with those around them. He says:
"The third New Testament premise is a corollary of the second. We share with the needy to the point of a rough equality. If I am to love my fellowman as myself, it must follow that I desire that his needs be cared for at least as well as I care for mine. To desire otherwise is not to love him as I love myself."
I am not convinced this is part of the theological tradition of the Church. (See, for example, Lagrange, The Three Ages..., Vol. 2, in his discussion of poverty.)
I think some of Dubay's conclusions (e.g. it is wrong to go on a nice vacation) are dubious, and could disturb scrupulous souls.
Overall, there was a lot of great material for pondering and contemplation, and I would still recommend this book for a reflection on Christian poverty, but only with caveats.
I appreciate Fr Thomas Dubay's clarity and depth when it comes to theology. His book "And You Are Christ's" was a gem that gave me a lot of food for prayer and reflection.
Happy Are You Poor tackles an important and under-talked-about issue: Christian poverty. I don't think that Dubay was as thorough and careful in his reasoning in this book as I found him to be in others. Part of the problem may lie in the distinction between recommendations and requirements (or in theological terms, "counsels" and "precepts"). In my opinion, Dubay identifies certain principles as precepts (i.e. required for all Christians) that are actually only counsels (i.e. recommendations).
He also makes some unsubstantiated assertions. The biggest one in my opinion is that all Christians are obliged to give away their money and possessions to the point of reaching "a rough equality" with those around them. He says:
"The third New Testament premise is a corollary of the second. We share with the needy to the point of a rough equality. If I am to love my fellowman as myself, it must follow that I desire that his needs be cared for at least as well as I care for mine. To desire otherwise is not to love him as I love myself."
I am not convinced this is part of the theological tradition of the Church. (See, for example, Lagrange, The Three Ages..., Vol. 2, in his discussion of poverty.)
I think some of Dubay's conclusions (e.g. it is wrong to go on a nice vacation) are dubious, and could disturb scrupulous souls.
Overall, there was a lot of great material for pondering and contemplation, and I would still recommend this book for a reflection on Christian poverty, but only with caveats.
September 9, 2016
I got this book from my diocese and because of that I wasn't expecting much at first-- I was horribly mistaken. This was the most spiritually challenging book I have read in a long time. I truly think it might be a book that chances my life. It portrays beautiful and effectively the Christian life as a life of poverty.
I don't think I have felt this guilty since I've read Imitation of Christ.
I don't think I have felt this guilty since I've read Imitation of Christ.
September 29, 2020
Wow. What a tough and marvelous read. Dubay makes no concessions in his take on gospel poverty. Both articulate and honest, the author boldly risks taking Jesus seriously. I really there’s something edging on the divine here.
If you want to be a saint, I highly recommend taking this book seriously.
If you want to be a saint, I highly recommend taking this book seriously.
March 5, 2025
A sobering read in today’s age. Fr. Dubay’s way of writing has always been challenging for me, he writes with very deep conviction and in that can be perceived as lacking charity. However, I believe the message he tries to convey is one not easily received. The treasures we gainfully store up here cannot be brought with us into the next, and these treasures can also serve as a distraction for us in this life. It was a challenging read and has prompted a lot of self evaluation. While I enjoyed the book my favorite part was his description of joy in chapter 15. He defines it by comparing, or should I say contrasting, pleasure and joy. Pleasure being more materially based while joy is more intellectual/immaterial based. I had been pondering the thought earlier in the day the difference of classical music versus lyrical music. Classical music stirs something in my heart while a lot of lyrical music brings about enjoyment and pleasure. I personally found the book to be extremely formative and helpful in pushing a deeper examination, but can also see where a reader may be lead to a scrupulous mindset towards poverty, which is why I give four stars not five.
March 1, 2021
Okay so I am still working through the examination of conscience at the end but that could take a while. What I will say is that I don’t think I was ready for this book until this moment. But it has left me convicted. In praying with this, I have learned that living poverty is a making of space for Jesus, and I would be foolish to believe that materialism (and really anything superfluous) does not get in the way. I am still pondering this and am sure it is one I will return to.
September 10, 2021
This book will screw you up… in the best possible way. Never before have I had an author suggest that if I have an issue with what I’m saying that I might need to spend some time in prayer on front of the blessed sacrament about my qualms. Some solid stuff right here.
April 26, 2023
Good content, struggled at the beginning with authors somewhat arrogant writing style, but it got better later in the book
August 16, 2020
I have been struggling to find the words for this review, but a few that come to mind are
Refreshing. Difficult. True. Freeing.
I'll need to read it over and over again, but Dubay is certainly onto something here. How much freedom we could find in letting go.
Refreshing. Difficult. True. Freeing.
I'll need to read it over and over again, but Dubay is certainly onto something here. How much freedom we could find in letting go.
July 23, 2016
This book is utterly different from any other works on spiritual life. The topic of Gospel poverty is one that very few touch upon. If at all discussed, it is usually in an abstract, somewhat hesitating and light manner. But this book, well, it's radical. Read with the proper disposition of heart, it will open your eyes and transform you. It's like a painful yet loving and much deserved slap. I'm truly grateful that a friend of mine bought me this. For me personally, Fr. Dubay confirms so many inconvenient thoughts and questions I've been having in my mind. A godsent book indeed.
July 26, 2018
This book is something I've needed to read for a long time, though I didn't fully realize how much until I began to read it. This book is a great, in-depth look at what the Gospel asks of us in our stewardship, or attachments, our charity. As a spiritual work, I would consider this a must for anyone, and especially for seminarians, priests, and religious. The Gospel life is a narrow path, and this work is a great aid to guide us onto it.
June 21, 2016
Warning: don't read this book unless you're ready to do a serious examination of conscience regarding your embrace (or lack thereof) of the evangelical counsel of poverty. It's written for lay, clergy, and religious, and Fr. Dubay does not mince words about what it means to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus.
March 1, 2020
First, take Fr. Dubay's advice and do NOT read this book if you don't have a consistent prayer life nor want to follow Jesus. If you do, then I highly recommend it. It has changed my life, given me greater clarity on what evangelical poverty is, and convicted and challenged me to live it out more fully in my own life.
This is a spiritual classic, and a must read for any serious Christian.
This is a spiritual classic, and a must read for any serious Christian.
September 7, 2020
Jesus' admonition to give all you have to the poor seems like an alien commandment in the 21st century because although we have so much, we seem to require so much. This book lays out exactly what Jesus meant (surprise! He meant what he said!), how poverty can bring joy, and kinda sorta how to go about it, although I would've liked a few more practical applications.
February 3, 2021
3.6 stars. While the argument was well articulated and backed up scripturally I found it wanting. The basic conclusion being made is that Jesus means what He says and asks of us in regards to poverty - agreed. It isn't a long book so it wasn't a total waste of time and I highlighted a few areas, but it also isn't very memoriable.
Read
August 29, 2023Dubay's clear, direct, and poignant presentation of evangelical poverty makes for one of the most challenging and convicting spiritual works I have ever read. Certainly "a necessary text" for any and all Christians. As Dubay comments on the Gospel: “Strong words. But true.”
April 22, 2009
This is my second reading and I'm actually getting something out of it this time. I think it scared me too much the first time around! Ok, I'm still scared, but at least I'm still reading too, lol.
October 7, 2010
An excellent argument for downwards mobility. Father Dubay is a powerful, if a bit overwhelming writer.
August 6, 2021
It was interesting, but not convincing. His methodology isn't fullproof. I found it easy to poke holes in his hermeneutics.
We can always pride ourselves in depriving ourselves.
We can always pride ourselves in depriving ourselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews