---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...it is proper that the duty of helping…"
description: "\"...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since they are members of the Mystical Body of Chri..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png"
---

#  ...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and…

![“...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since they are members of the Mystical Body of Christ. In this we have come to know the love of God, said John the Apostle, that He laid down His life for us, and we likewise ought to lay down our…” quote by Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png)

> “...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since they are members of the Mystical Body of Christ. In this we have come to know the love of God, said John the Apostle, that He laid down His life for us, and we likewise ought to lay down our life for the brethren. He who has the goods of this world and sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1Jn 3:16 17)”

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Charitable love is a core Christian duty; wealth without sharing contradicts the Gospel's call to self‑sacrifice.

**In simple terms:** Riches demand generosity.

Key Takeaway

Wealth obliges moral responsibility.

Themes

faith charity ethics social justice

Mood

inspirational solemn

Type

religious ethical

When to use this quote

- church outreach
- philanthropy
- community aid programs

Key Concepts

theology of love moral economics

Practical Applications

- encourage tithing
- create solidarity networks

Questions to Reflect On

- How does personal wealth shape one's spiritual practice?
- What modern structures best embody this teaching?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations of 'laying down life' vary across cultures and denominations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Apostles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Body of christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-of-christ/) [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Genocide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genocide/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Helping The Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-the-poor/) [Love of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-of-god/) [Mystical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystical/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [The president actually is there to complement the government in power. If they have done something that is not proper, it is the duty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/the-president-actually-is-there-to-complement-the-government-in-power/)

[Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/)

> [As we all know, it is the proper duty of every British subject to come to the aid of the TARDIS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/as-we-all-know-it-is-the-proper-duty-of-every-british-subject-to-come/)

[Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/)

> [Every Christian in America has some minimal responsibility to get involved in helping the poor brethren in the church in other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-p-yohannan/every-christian-in-america-has-some-minimal-responsibility-to-get/)

[K.P. Yohannan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-p-yohannan/)

> [Venezuela has the biggest oil reserves in the world. And the biggest gas reserves in this hemisphere, the eighth in the world. Venezuela was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-chavez/venezuela-has-the-biggest-oil-reserves-in-the-world-and-the-biggest/)

[Hugo Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-chavez/)

> [In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-the-poor-and-outcast-we-see-christ-s-face-by-loving-and-helping/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [“In the end, class will out. So much talk about helping the poor. It's all words and class interest— in the end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psyche-roxas-mendoza/in-the-end-class-will-out-so-much-talk-about-helping-the-poor-it-s/)

[Psyche Roxas-Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/psyche-roxas-mendoza/)

> [Any Church community, if it thinks it can comfortably go its own way without creative concern and effective cooperation in helping the poor to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/any-church-community-if-it-thinks-it-can-comfortably-go-its-own-way/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [“We began the show by asking: Who did more for the world, Michael Milken or Mother Teresa? This seems like a no-brainer. Milken is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stossel/we-began-the-show-by-asking-who-did-more-for-the-world-michael-milken/)

[John Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stossel/)

> [The general idea of the rich helping the poor, I think, is important. That your sense of justice says, why should rich kids -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-general-idea-of-the-rich-helping-the-poor-i-think-is-important/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [I suspect the Left's obsession with raising tax rates is not about helping the poor or middle class or about lowering the budget deficit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-moore/i-suspect-the-left-s-obsession-with-raising-tax-rates-is-not-about/)

[Stephen Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-moore/)

> [Polak, a psychiatrist, has applied a behavioral and anthropological approach to alleviating poverty, developed by studying people in their natural surroundings. He argues that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-lockwood/polak-a-psychiatrist-has-applied-a-behavioral-and-anthropological/)

[Amy Lockwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-lockwood/)

> [“The guerilla fighter will be a sort of guiding angel who has fallen into the zone, helping the poor always and bothering the rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/the-guerilla-fighter-will-be-a-sort-of-guiding-angel-who-has-fallen/)

[Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/)

> [Anybody who runs for president in this country and comes out as strong as the Democrats were about helping the poor folks and black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-evers/anybody-who-runs-for-president-in-this-country-and-comes-out-as/)

[Charles Evers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-evers/)

> [The government is committed towards helping the poor and neo- middle class with the success mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-government-is-committed-towards-helping-the-poor-and-neo-middle/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [The poor is the central focus of my economic agenda. The poor should be strengthened in such a way that they get the willingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-poor-is-the-central-focus-of-my-economic-agenda-the-poor-should/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

## More by Pope John XXII

> [The Saviour Himself is the door of the sheepfold: 'I am the door of the sheep.' Into this fold of Jesus Christ, no man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/the-saviour-himself-is-the-door-of-the-sheepfold-i-am-the-door-of-the/)

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

> [Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about what you have tried and failed, But what is still possible for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/consult-not-your-fears-but-your-hopes-and-dreams-think-not-about-what/)

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

> [The signs are increasing. The lights in the sky will appear red, blue, green, rapidly. Someone is coming from very far and wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/the-signs-are-increasing-the-lights-in-the-sky-will-appear-red-blue/)

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

> [Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/concern-yourself-not-with-what-you-tried-and-failed-in-but-with-what/)

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

> [Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/consult-not-your-fears-but-your-hopes-and-your-dreams-think-not-about-2/)

[Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

[Explore all 6 Pope John XXII quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/)

## More Apostles quotes

> [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/)

Daniel K Judd

> [As a Fundamentalist I had discovered while I was in college that it is possible to dismiss the entire Church as having gone off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-howard-3rd-duke-of-norfolk/as-a-fundamentalist-i-had-discovered-while-i-was-in-college-that-it/)

Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk

> [Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book; I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/amidst-the-flood-of-dangerous-reading-i-plead-for-my-master-s-book-i/)

[J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/)

> [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [“I argue that the Jesus of the Gospels is essentially a myth. The Gospels are largely fiction. They were created around the turn of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-elleg-rd/i-argue-that-the-jesus-of-the-gospels-is-essentially-a-myth-the/)

Alvar Ellegård

> [the Republicans love to say that the Democratic Party is ruled by 'special interests.' But when pressed to name these 'special interests,' the usual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-ferraro/the-republicans-love-to-say-that-the-democratic-party-is-ruled-by/)

[Geraldine Ferraro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-ferraro/)

> [The Apostle John said, " Beloved, now we are the sons of God." He didn't say by and by we are going to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-apostle-john-said-beloved-now-we-are-the-sons-of-god-he-didn-t/)

[Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/)

> [The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny himself. To deny oneself means to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innocent-of-alaska/the-first-duty-of-a-christian-of-a-disciple-and-follower-of-jesus/)

Innocent of Alaska

> [The gifts that Yeshua left in the earth realm to enforce His authority were apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. The gift that gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-pierce/the-gifts-that-yeshua-left-in-the-earth-realm-to-enforce-his/)

[Chuck Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-pierce/)

> [... faithfully and strenuously you should resist the heretics in defense of the only true and life-giving faith, which the Church has received -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-clement-i/faithfully-and-strenuously-you-should-resist-the-heretics-in-defense/)

[Pope Clement I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-clement-i/)

> [ Listen to these words of \[apostle\] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we-war-not-against-flesh-and/)

[Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/)

> [Our Lord Jesus Christ, a little before his departure, commissioned his apostles to Go, and teach all nations; or, as another evangelist expresses it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/our-lord-jesus-christ-a-little-before-his-departure-commissioned-his/)

[William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/)

> [What cursed spirit of falsehood moveth priests to close themselves within stone walls for all their life, since Christ commanded all his apostles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wycliffe/what-cursed-spirit-of-falsehood-moveth-priests-to-close-themselves/)

[John Wycliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wycliffe/)

> [“The Ancient Church Fathers, including disciples of the twelve apostles, were firmly premillennial, pretribulational, and very pro-Israel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-johnson/the-ancient-church-fathers-including-disciples-of-the-twelve-apostles/)

Ken Johnson

> [...the right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example... Had the holding of slaves been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-furman/the-right-of-holding-slaves-is-clearly-established-in-the-holy/)

Richard Furman

[Browse all 366 Apostles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since they are members of the Mystical Body of Christ. In this we have come to know the love of God, said John the Apostle, that He laid down His life for us, and we likewise ought to lay down our life for the brethren. He who has the goods of this world and sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1Jn 3:16 17)",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pope John XXII"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-the-poor-and-unfortunate-should/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Apostles"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-the-poor-and-unfortunate-should/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/490/pope-john-xxii-53845_apostles_it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-th_123391.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since…” — Pope John XXII",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pope John XXII",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "...it is proper that the duty...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-the-poor-and-unfortunate-should/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-the-poor-and-unfortunate-should/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
