a rich man knows not
"UNDP calculates that an annual 4 percent levy on the world's 225 most well-to-do people (average 1998 wealth: $4.5 billion) would suffice to provide the following essentials for all those in developing countries: adequate food, safe water and sanitation, basic education, basic health care and reproductive health care. At present, 160 of those individuals live in OECD countries; 60 reside in the United States."
What does it mean to be wealthy? Is it relative? To what?
I taught the little groms at the beach Monday night and they were astounded when I said that just to be born in the United States makes you a rich person. It is really quite funny coming from kids who get a new surfboard every couple months. I could understand such a response if I was talking to a poor immigrant family or someone living on the streets, but seriously, mom is gonna drive up in a brand new Yukon and take you home to your own bedroom. I could say so much more about how wealthy we are, and what that might mean, an entire book could be written, but here's just a little food for thought. How have we as humans changed over time in what we consider our basic needs? The gap between the aristocratic class and peasant class used to be much more distinguishable. Sure there are the top 225 billion who could change the world with so little of what they have, and they should, and they will answer to God Almighty one day; BUT do we all, here in the United States live like kings and queens? Do we all have our own castle? Do we all have our own chariot? Do we all have our own entertaining jester? Do we all... have?
(Of course generalizations are just that, general and not specific. Of course there are very poor people here in the United States, but I think the visualization is much more applicable than we, I, are willing to admit most of the time, and this should bring us to our knees.)
"Again I (Jesus) tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24
What does it mean to be wealthy? Is it relative? To what?
I taught the little groms at the beach Monday night and they were astounded when I said that just to be born in the United States makes you a rich person. It is really quite funny coming from kids who get a new surfboard every couple months. I could understand such a response if I was talking to a poor immigrant family or someone living on the streets, but seriously, mom is gonna drive up in a brand new Yukon and take you home to your own bedroom. I could say so much more about how wealthy we are, and what that might mean, an entire book could be written, but here's just a little food for thought. How have we as humans changed over time in what we consider our basic needs? The gap between the aristocratic class and peasant class used to be much more distinguishable. Sure there are the top 225 billion who could change the world with so little of what they have, and they should, and they will answer to God Almighty one day; BUT do we all, here in the United States live like kings and queens? Do we all have our own castle? Do we all have our own chariot? Do we all have our own entertaining jester? Do we all... have?
(Of course generalizations are just that, general and not specific. Of course there are very poor people here in the United States, but I think the visualization is much more applicable than we, I, are willing to admit most of the time, and this should bring us to our knees.)
"Again I (Jesus) tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24
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