Chapter 59: Children offered by nobles or by the poor

As to questions of property, they should add a promise to the document under oath that they will not themselves, nor through any other person, give the child anything at any time, nor yet contrive any opportunity whereby the child might be able in the future to acquire possessions. 

(From para. 1 of Ch. 59 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict knew that possessions and property could detour a soul seeking God. Like the child oblates of the sixth century whom he wished to protect, may I too move along the path toward the realized heart, in freedom of spirit.