Anthony of Egypt (251-356) was one of the first Christians to design and follow the monastic life. After his parents died, he went to a church where he heard the gospel call to sell possessions and to give to the poor. He sold everything and tried to live for God, even being known to heal the sick on occasion.
Speaking of loving others as Christ did, he said, “From our neighbors is life and death. If we gain our brother, we gain God, but if we cause our brother to stumble, we sin against Christ.”
Joe Skillen 