Voluntary Poverty

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term cheongbin (淸貧) combines the characters for "clear" or "pure" (淸) and "poor" (貧). It means living in poverty because one is upright in character and has no desire for wealth. It was also regarded as a virtue in the East Asian scholar (seonbi) tradition. In Christianity, it refers to an attitude of faith that relies on God rather than on wealth and embraces a simple life. To distinguish it from poverty endured out of necessity, it is sometimes called "voluntary poverty."

Biblical and Historical Background

The New Testament frequently warns against the dangers of wealth. Jesus told the rich young man to sell his possessions and give to the poor (Matthew 19:16–26). Paul taught contentment (1 Timothy 6:6–9). The early church is recorded as having held its property in common (Acts 4:32–35).

The Catholic Church counts poverty, together with chastity and obedience, among the "evangelical counsels" that members of religious orders profess as vows. The order founded by Francis of Assisi in the early thirteenth century is often cited as a leading example. After the Reformation, Protestantism rejected the system of monastic vows. Instead, it treated voluntary poverty not as an obligation belonging to a particular state of life but as a matter of stewardship, in which every believer regards wealth as something entrusted to him or her by God. John Wesley is known to have taught in his sermon "The Use of Money": "Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can."

Practice in the Korean Church

Few denominations in Korean Protestantism have established voluntary poverty as a doctrine or institution. It is discussed mainly as a virtue of personal faith or as a virtue expected of pastors. The physician Jang Gi-ryeo and the pastor Han Kyung-chik, both of whom lived simply throughout their lives, are frequently cited as examples of voluntary poverty.

Emphases differ among traditions:

• Presbyterian and Reformed traditions: These regard wealth as a gift from God and emphasize stewardship, the responsibility to manage it rightly.
• Methodism: Following Wesley's teaching, Methodists tend to emphasize self-restraint and almsgiving.
• Full Gospel churches: Citing 3 John 1:2, these churches have emphasized blessings of the soul, of prosperity in all things, and of health together. Critics associate this teaching with prosperity theology. Supporters respond that it does not romanticize poverty but proclaims a salvation that embraces the whole of life.
• Anglican Church of Korea: Because it has religious orders, a monastic life that includes the vow of poverty continues within it.

As the compensation of megachurch pastors and disparities in pastors' salaries have drawn public criticism, voices both inside and outside the church have called for a recovery of the spirit of voluntary poverty.