Is poor good and rich bad?

Originally posted by KellyJay
I don't think your wealth or lack there of adds to or takes away from being
good or bad! I think what you do with what you have defines that. No matter
what income level you are at people can always help those that need it, those
that have more can do more, that is simple math. There are some poor no
matter how much you give them they will remain poor, ...[text shortened]... that give great wealth away that will remain rich, because what they do is
done wisely.
Kelly

You've talked around the question. You've given some strong indications that you do believe it. Why don't you come out and say it if you do? Or say that you don't if you don't?

So once again, "Do you believe that an individual who is content in being rich while others are destitute truly good?" Do you believe such an individual truly good?

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
You've talked around the question. You've given some strong indications that you do believe it. Why don't you come out and say it if you do? Or say that you don't if you don't?

So once again, "Do you believe that an individual who is content in being rich while others are destitute truly good?" Do you believe such an individual truly good?

I don't believe being rich is bad, as I have stated with some no matter what
you do for them they will act in such ways that will always cause them to be
poor so there will always be a group of people that are poor.
Kelly

Originally posted by jaywill
The very existence of [b]money is itself abnormal.[/b]

what?

I know me the more I have the more I spend!!! It's chasing after that material wealth that kills!!! I think if I just get that new lap top I'll be happier or knew phone or big screen T.V. but truth It does not help. I agree with in theory socialism but this kingdom will only possible with Christ. Then everyone will be equal and the concept of money will be no more. In this current system why not should a man get paid for his work? Money however will not make a person happy.
I don't think either is Good or Bad to answer the OP


Manny

Originally posted by KellyJay
I don't believe being rich is bad, as I have stated with some no matter what
you do for them they will act in such ways that will always cause them to be
poor so there will always be a group of people that are poor.
Kelly

I know what you have said. I'm interested in what you have refused to say.

You keep avoiding the question. To say, "I don't believe being rich is bad" does not answer the question and you know it (at least you should).

So why do you keep avoiding it?

It's easy to say, "I don't believe being rich is bad". However, I think at least part of you realizes that those who are content with being rich while others are destitute are not truly good. Does the truth make you so uneasy that you allow it to keep you from answering the question?

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
I know what you have said. I'm interested in what you have refused to say.

You keep avoiding the question. To say, "I don't believe being rich is bad" does not answer the question and you know it (at least you should).

So why do you keep avoiding it?

It's easy to say, "I don't believe being rich is bad". However, I think at least part of you real ...[text shortened]... the truth make you so uneasy that you allow it to keep you from answering the question?

I've pointed out to you that there are going to be poor people, and there are
several reasons for them being poor, some because of things out of their
control and some completely in their control. That said, that means that
there will always be someone with less than another, and that does not
mean in my opinion everyone needs to make sure they keep their income
down to the lowest common denominator. Everyone should be striving to
be the best they can be, and if that caused them to be blessed with wealth,
there is nothing wrong with that, and having more than another is just what
is going to happen when some do better than the next guy.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
I've pointed out to you that there are going to be poor people, and there are
several reasons for them being poor, some because of things out of their
control and some completely in their control. That said, that means that
there will always be someone with less than another, and that does not
mean in my opinion everyone needs to make sure they keep the ...[text shortened]... ore than another is just what
is going to happen when some do better than the next guy.
Kelly

Well, it's clear that you're never going to answer the question. Evidently it's a little game you play with yourself to allow yourself to protect your rationalizations from the truth. So long as you avoid placing them in the light of truth, you can keep your rationalizations intact. You're a slave to them.

It never ceases to amaze me how so many Christians have such a strong aversion to the truth, yet see themselves as truth loving.

"The truth will make you free".

The teachings of Jesus were deep and profound. You'd do well to open yourself to them.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Well, it's clear that you're never going to answer the question. Evidently it's a little game you play with yourself to allow yourself to protect your rationalizations from the truth. So long as you avoid placing them in the light of truth, you can keep your rationalizations intact. You're a slave to them.

It never ceases to amaze me how so many Christ ...[text shortened]...

The teachings of Jesus were deep and profound. You'd do well to open yourself to them.

Do you think your question is just a yes or no type?
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
Do you think your question is just a yes or no type?
Kelly

I don't think his question is a yes or no type, but it does have an answer surely? You have avoided answering it.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
You've talked around the question. You've given some strong indications that you do believe it. Why don't you come out and say it if you do? Or say that you don't if you don't?

So once again, "Do you believe that an individual who is content in being rich while others are destitute truly good?" Do you believe such an individual truly good?

Can be yes.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
Can be yes.
Kelly

Lets be more specific.
Where I come from, Zambia, there are lots of Children with no parents and no relatives able to support them. They are homeless and live on the streets begging for food. They are not old enough for us to honestly blame them for their plight.
You and I are both rich enough to do something to help them, but we do not. Does that make us bad people? At a minimum, can we possibly be 'truly good'?

I think not.

This is not an accusation, nor a personal attack on you. It is merely a discussion of the issues raised by the thread title. I personally have many excuses I tell myself for why I do not do more to help those more needy than myself. In some cases, I believe my excuses are justified, for example, I generally do not just give money to beggars on street corners because I believe I am more likely to do them harm than good by doing so. There are cases where I certainly could do more, but choose not to due to the extra effort required on my part.
But the only real explanation I have for not giving more money to causes that I know will help someone, is, I guess, selfishness on my part.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Lets be more specific.
Where I come from, Zambia, there are lots of Children with no parents and no relatives able to support them. They are homeless and live on the streets begging for food. They are not old enough for us to honestly blame them for their plight.
You and I are both rich enough to do something to help them, but we do not. Does that make ...[text shortened]... iving more money to causes that I know will help someone, is, I guess, selfishness on my part.

It is amazing in a sad sort of way that you a proclaimed atheist, have a far more developed conscience than many Christians.

Christians are supposed to both understand what Christ commandments and be able to carry those commandments. Christ spoke ad nauseum about giving to the poor and about the dangers or being rich and KJ is unable to understand what Christ said.

Christians must give to the poor, must help the needy, must give of themselves and their time and their assets to help those in need. Those are not options. Those are the criteria on which they will be judged.

Modern Christianity is truly in a deplorable state.

Originally posted by Rajk999
Christians must give to the poor, must help the needy, must give of themselves and their time and their assets to help those in need. Those are not options. Those are the criteria on which they will be judged.

And it is my belief that Christs message went much further than that. To act because you fear judgement is inherently selfish. Jesus suggested you should do the right thing for its own sake.

My favorite example is: A truly selfless person would give up their seat in heaven to someone else if they could.

Am I that selfless? No. But I do see the beauty of it.

But now we get to the Catch 22. What motivation is there to change your behavior to one that removes the motivation?

Originally posted by twhitehead
And it is my belief that Christs message went much further than that. To act because you fear judgement is inherently selfish. Jesus suggested you should do the right thing for its own sake.

My favorite example is: A truly selfless person would give up their seat in heaven to someone else if they could.

Am I that selfless? No. But I do see the beau ...[text shortened]... e Catch 22. What motivation is there to change your behavior to one that removes the motivation?

Ok. So lets back up what we say with some references.

1. I cannot find any references which supports this .. "..to act because you fear judgement is inherently selfish .." Let me know if you find any, or failing that, what is the logic behind it.

Christ said that you must not do good for men to see because the praise you will get from men, will be your reward. Do good so that God will see and let God reward you. There is nothing wrong with doing good so that God will reward you... absolutely nothing. And I cannot find any references which imply that acting becuase of fear of judgment is selfish. Christ on the contrary, said to " .. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. . Clearly we should be afraid of God and his judgement which if proves adverse will cause our destruction.

2. There is no option to give up your salvation for someone else so Im certain that Christ never addressed that issue. The only option is to give up your life for another, and that is what Christ called the ' greatest love .. "

Originally posted by Rajk999
It is amazing in a sad sort of way that you a proclaimed atheist, have a far more developed conscience than many Christians.

Christians are supposed to both understand what Christ commandments and be able to carry those commandments. Christ spoke ad nauseum about giving to the poor and about the dangers or being rich and KJ is unable to understand what C ...[text shortened]... he criteria on which they will be judged.

Modern Christianity is truly in a deplorable state.

I understand what Christ said, and act upon it. You are no different than the
devil in the way you accuse the church of evil.
Kelly