Do you think it is evil for the super rich not to give more money?

[Supplanter]

yes it would be good if very wealthy people gave more, but that is for them to decide.It is for us to decide what we do with what we have, whether that be a lot or little.

That is like saying it is up to each individual to decide if the ten commandments is appropriate for them or not. 

No it isn't. That isn't like saying that at all. But even it were, people decide everyday whether the ten commandments are appropriate for them or not. I can't determine that for anyone but myself either.

Also, you seem to have a problem with the way people are answering, Guess what? You can't control people's responses just because you don't like them. Just like you can't control how much people give who have excessive amounts of money. And as for blaming people who have limited means, throwing money at their problems isn't going to resolve the underlying issue of poverty. If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day, but is you teach a amn to fish then he will eat for a lifetime. Poverty isn't about money. There are plenty of psychological studies on that. And there is a reason some people get out of poverty and some don't. And you can say well, it is the government in this country and that country and the wars and etc, but even in those countries when given opportunities, certain impoverished people will take them and pull themselves up while others choose to remain where they are. Most homeless people are homeless because they choose to be. Here is Nashville, we have a very nice living center that they can go to and they will get them a job and as long as they keep that job then they will provide them with clothing and food and eventually a private bedroom and bathroom.

You'd think that place would be full right? That they would be full and not able to meet the needs of the city, but guess what? Most of the beds are empty and most of the guys don't stick around long enough to save their money and transition out of homelessness. So, in most cases, people remained impoverished for a reason and it isn't because there just arent enough resources for them.

So, even if income was "equalized," for may it would not make a difference, so no I don't think that the rich giving more is the solution to anything. And as far a rich unbeliever, I don't expect them to be subect to the principles that a Christian lives their life by.

You are shaking your head at us Christians because we aren't concerned with whether or not excessively rich people are evil for not giveing more and act like that is why the world is such a mess. But we are more concerned with giving all we can of ourselves, in actually making a difference with what we have, because calling them evil isn't going to amount to a hill of beans in resolving people's suffering.

[Jaime]

Then we all agree that it is a personal conscience thing and not something our govetnment ought to be addressing in a redistributive manner? Shoot, we may all Republicans afterall!

Yes I agree to what you said, but you did not answer my original question.

The answer is NO. I have no place in judging what other people give. If the super rich person thinks it's evil for him, then it is evil.

[cs80918]

yes it would be good if very wealthy people gave more, but that is for them to decide.It is for us to decide what we do with what we have, whether that be a lot or little.

That is like saying it is up to each individual to decide if the ten commandments is appropriate for them or not. 

No it isn't. That isn't like saying that at all. But even it were, people decide everyday whether the ten commandments are appropriate for them or not. I can't determine that for anyone but myself either.

Also, you seem to have a problem with the way people are answering, Guess what? You can't control people's responses just because you don't like them. Just like you can't control how much people give who have excessive amounts of money. And as for blaming people who have limited means, throwing money at their problems isn't going to resolve the underlying issue of poverty. If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day, but is you teach a amn to fish then he will eat for a lifetime. Poverty isn't about money. There are plenty of psychological studies on that. And there is a reason some people get out of poverty and some don't. And you can say well, it is the government in this country and that country and the wars and etc, but even in those countries when given opportunities, certain impoverished people will take them and pull themselves up while others choose to remain where they are. Most homeless people are homeless because they choose to be. Here is Nashville, we have a very nice living center that they can go to and they will get them a job and as long as they keep that job then they will provide them with clothing and food and eventually a private bedroom and bathroom.

You'd think that place would be full right? That they would be full and not able to meet the needs of the city, but guess what? Most of the beds are empty and most of the guys don't stick around long enough to save their money and transition out of homelessness. So, in most cases, people remained impoverished for a reason and it isn't because there just arent enough resources for them.

So, even if income was "equalized," for may it would not make a difference, so no I don't think that the rich giving more is the solution to anything. And as far a rich unbeliever, I don't expect them to be subect to the principles that a Christian lives their life by.

You are shaking your head at us Christians because we aren't concerned with whether or not excessively rich people are evil for not giveing more and act like that is why the world is such a mess. But we are more concerned with giving all we can of ourselves, in actually making a difference with what we have, because calling them evil isn't going to amount to a hill of beans in resolving people's suffering.

I guess your answer is -  You believe it is not evil for the super rich to spend money on their fleshly desires in excess?   I guess that is what you are saying?

Nothing in my question has anything to do about homeless people or people who choose not to work.  That is their choice,  I am talking about people who are already working given more money and more money given to help equipment people who want to work and to feed the people who are homeless and or starving not by choice, but who are forced.

I am not just talking about here in the U.S......  

[Jaime]

Is it evil for the moderately rich, who virtually all Americans are comparatively speaking, for not giving more?

[Supplanter]

I'm saying that I am not adequately equipped to determine if they are or are not giving enough or are spending too much on fleshly desires. So I can't say it is evil or not for them.

What I can say is that feeding sinful desires is evil.

[Kindle]

Supplanter makes a good point.  It is the feeding of sinful desires that is evil.

But here I'll diverge. IMO, hoarding money beyond any reasonable concern for ourselves and our loved one's welfare necessities is the feeding of a sinful desires.  My answer to the OP is yes.
Sloth and envy are two of the seven deadly, and are desires driven. But here I would like for us to consider that there may be other factors at work.. inabilities due to what we can name as actual crippling psychological conditions and not constituting "sloth."  Sloth, however, is very real.  We are quick to point it out.  Greed, what we used to call avarice is another of the seven deadly and it is one we do tend to want to overlook. (Yes or no?)
If we see, as a personal perspective, anyone abusing others out of a hunger for more wealth and power,  then we are free to say that this too is evil.

[ThouShall42]

It's bad on their record but it's their money, I would give away most of my money and I do give a way a lot to charity.

Just now, I am finding the funds to give to fund wells in Christian Ethiopia, in areas close to Moslem Somalia where conservation to Islam happens frequently in our Christian brothers' village.

Sorry - Link deleted per rules 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3.

[Debrah]

cs80918,

are you are Christian? You keep slandering us, saying such things as "you Christians" and "Christians have a hard time answering questions".  Your replies are rude, many have given you intelligent answerers, and you dismiss them.

Apostle Paul tells us not to judge the un-believer, we are to judge our church.

[Talking Donkey]

It is easier for a rich man that is covetous to enter heaven, than for a self righteous man to escape hell.

John 9:41

Luke 18:9-14

Peace

[brouije]

Before we burn the rich at the stake, we need to remember that many of them are generous with their money. They've built hospitals and schools, they've put their private jets at the disposal of families of war vets that want to visit them in hospitals and others people too sick too travel comercially. They've provided scholarships for those who need them, run companies that hire thousands of employees, etc. Being rich is not a sin but the love of money is. Many people of modest means are more materialistic because they are consumed with acquiring things. I remember when the tax returns of Obama and Biden were released their first year in office, it was eye opening to see how stingy they were with their own money yet eager to spread everyone's elses around. They have been more generous lately, but do you expect when you now that everyone is watching you.  In the book, "The Millionaire Next Door" the principle is to live below your means. You buy second hand cars, rent until you can afford to buy and then only a house within your means. Basically, by making wise financial decisions when we first start earning money, we can retire with a healthy bank account, a home paid off and no debt. It requires a lot of self control and learning to say no. Maybe we should skip sex ed in school and teach civics and money management to our teenagers.

[Talking Donkey]

That is really not a good question to ask.

Peace

[Giver]

$50,000 per year could feed a lot of starving children if you'd live in a tent, walk to work or take the bus instead wasting your money on a $1000 car,  eat near nothing and dumpster dive for your food.

Luke 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
 
Oh the greed of it all.

I expected this response to come, but not so soon.  This is a typical response that isn't a very good one.  If the wealth was more evenly distrubed, I would not have to give all of my 50,000 to live in a tent and dumpster dive for food.

The fact is everyone could live in a modest dwelling, eat plenty of food and still have money left over.  I'm not talking about supporting people who choose not to work.  I'm talking about helping people get on their feet.  I am talking about feeding the people, who can't help themselves.

There is so much money in this world that no one should be without a modest dwelling, food and clothing. 

Evil countries and evil people are too blame.  Do you know that Africa has enough land that it could produce enough food to provide for all its people and more?  The reason is the corrupt governments keep the people from farming, because of taxation and wars etc.  If those people were taught and give the right farming equipment the world wouldn't have to pay to feed them anymore.  Millions of starving people over there and the governments of the world don't intervene and oust their corrupt governments.

Sure, I could give my 50,000 a year and live in a tent etc, but the reality is no one has to live in a tent and dumpster dive, if the super rich wouldn't horde their wealth.

Seriously, I pray that righteous people begin to get rich and don't become corrputed by their wealth and they use it to help others.

That being said I do know of some wealthy people that give generously and live well below their means, because they are mature in Christ and know that God is their source not money.

I agree wealth is an evil, and is very dangerous for the person who is wealthy.

Jesus has taught me that having possessions is also wrong.  Jesus has also taught me that it is his wish that we all live in community; community as was described to us in Acts.

Scripture tells us not to store, and that usury is evil. 

(Luke 12:33) "Sell your possessions and give alms.  Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in Heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

[Debrah]

wealth is not evil.  We should not judge people with wealth, nor possessions.

God will bless those with "much" if they can handle "much".  If you are not blessed with wealth maybe it is a blessing in disguise because God knows it will be a temptation to you.

We are to be wise with our monies,....your family should come first, the bible teaches us it is a sin not to take care of your family.  Then others needs come.

We never have the right to judge the wealthy lifestyle of another, that is between them and God.

"But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers" (1 Timothy 5)

[cs80918]

1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

The says to COMMAND rich people to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be GENEROUS and willing to share.

I know if I had millions or billions of dollars and I primarily used that money on myself then I personally know that in my own life that I would not being doing the will of God.

In the new testament it says that we should work do supply the needs of our family then the rest is to help others who are in lack.

In the new covenant we weren't given all the laws like in the old, but we were given things that we should do.

[Thankfulldad]

I agree wealth is an evil, and is very dangerous for the person who is wealthy.

Jesus has taught me that having possessions is also wrong.  Jesus has also taught me that it is his wish that we all live in community; community as was described to us in Acts.

Scripture tells us not to store, and that usury is evil. 

So I take it you have nothing and live on the street...a beggar?

[gospel]

That is really not a good question to ask.

Peace

I agree