Why are the rich hated

[Salty]

Much is said about the rich (first define what rich is) and how they take advantage of poor people.

My question is why are the rich hated so much. Is it because people have a natural sense to be jealous of another's accomplishments.

OR

Last night I was watching Its a Wonderful Life. Mr. Potter was the richest man in town - dollar wise. He would stop at no lengths to increase his wealth. The well being of other citizens was of no concern to him.
I was just wonder if many folks equate all rich people to Mr. Potter?

Thoughts?

 

[abcgrad94]

I'd say some people do equate the rich with characters like Mr. Potter, or Scrooge. Through the ages, the kings and rich landholders abused their power and took advantage of the poor.

Even this week, gas prices here suddenly went up $.15 on the dollar just in time for Christmas travel. I have no doubt at all that this is a direct result of greed and as soon as holiday travel is over, the prices are sure to go back down to normal.

Earning a living is a good thing. Doing it while taking advantage of others is not. Not all the rich people are like this, and not all poor people are helpless.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Well of course Mr. Potter is a stereotype, but like many stereotypes, it has some truth. There are plenty of rich people that are rich because they are greedy and stingy, that is why they are rich, and its one reason why I never will be.

Most wealthy people are wealthy because of the work and sacrifice that has made them wealthy. They have worked harder, taken more risks, and given up more than the rest of us were willing to. It is often easier for us to blame them than it is to take responsibility for our own choices.

Go back to Cain and Able. Cain could have simply offered an acceptable sacrifice. Instead he hated his brother who had made different choices than he had.

 

[Jim1999]

Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf was one of the wealthiest men in all of Europe, yet he wrote:
"I have but one passion, and that is He."

The count went on to be a missionary.

Some very wealthy people have contributed greatly to society and even the churches.

Remember, the Bible does not condemn wealth. It says it is the love of money.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Salty]

Remember, the Bible does not condemn wealth. It says it is the love of money.

Unfournately, most people only think of the greedy rich...


Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf

and another web page on the Count

Jim, thanks - dont think I have ever heard of him

 

[Robert Snow]

Although some rich work hard and make wise investments, I would imagine many rich inherit the wealth from their families. Also, many well to do have access to opportunities that many less fortunate do not.

There is also the fact that the rich seem to game the system, like becoming politicians, or having access to politicians and use this to enact laws that give them an advantage, like corporate welfare.

Although God has blessed some in the bible who were wealthy such as Abraham or King David and Solomon, there is a New Testament warning given to the rich.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? James 2:5,6 NIV

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. James 5:1-6 NIV

I'm not saying that being rich is wrong, but God does warn about what we do with our riches.

 

[Salty]

I would imagine many rich inherit the wealth from their families. Also, many well to do have access to opportunities that many less fortunate do not.

Just wondering if you got that info from this website?

Are you curious about those who do inherit wealth?

 

[KenH]

Even this week, gas prices here suddenly went up $.15 on the dollar just in time for Christmas travel. I have no doubt at all that this is a direct result of greed and as soon as holiday travel is over, the prices are sure to go back down to normal.

Gasoline prices have risen as the price of crude oil has surpassed $90/bbl. for the first time in 2 and half years. I wouldn't plan on seeing them drop any time soon if the dollar continues to go down in value.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Even on this thread, hatred of the rich is justified. Some are bad, most didn't earn it....

Jim & N.C.T., excellent posts.

 

[Salty]

, most didn't earn it....
.

Did you read the links on post # 7

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I did, and I knew about the second one. They back up my point. Jim's point and N.C.T.'s point as well. Hatred of the rich is justified to the extent that people feel they can just make up their own facts.

Hatred of the rich is based in sinful jealousy. In a word, coveting. Anybody who is self-sufficient is called "rich", and the calls come from the liberals that they are "greedy". The most disgusting thing about it is they demand other people give more, then call themselves the "charitable". They "care" about the poor so much they are willing to use other people's money to help.

 

[Robert Snow]

I did, and I knew about the second one. They back up my point. Jim's point and N.C.T.'s point as well. Hatred of the rich is justified to the extent that people feel they can just make up their own facts.

Hatred of the rich is based in sinful jealousy. In a word, coveting. Anybody who is self-sufficient is called "rich", and the calls come from the liberals that they are "greedy". The most disgusting thing about it is they demand other people give more, then call themselves the "charitable". They "care" about the poor so much they are willing to use other people's money to help.

How about committing on the Scripture, or do you think James was wrong?

 

[carpro]

I don't really think about the "rich". The term is so subjective that I'm not sure what it really means. I'm not jealous of what they have nor care how they got it and don't want any of it. I basically despise people who are jealous and covetous of them and what they have.

If they covet what the "rich" have, I believe they will covet anything anyone has that they don't.

 

[Robert Snow]

Having money is not a sin, it's the love of money that is sinful. The poor are not immune, in fact many poor sin by coveting what others have. But, this doesn't negate what James says.

 

[billwald]

From http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/01/14/the-decline-of-inherited-money/

1. According to a study of Federal Reserve data conducted by NYU professor Edward Wolff, for the nation’s richest 1%, inherited wealth accounted for only 9% of their net worth in 2001, down from 23% in 1989. (The 2001 number was the latest available.)

Probably true. Back when the unions were strong the working class got 80% of the net from increased productivity. In the last 20 years the rich people have gotten the 80% while the working people have lost spending power.

from http://www.wealthcounsel.com/Consumers_VoorheesArticle.aspx

>Why Most Families Lose Their Wealth by the Third Generation

The essay doesn't say WHY. Probably for the same reason that half the people who win the lottery file for bankruptcy within 3 years. Half the people REALLY DO have below average intelligence.

 

[billwald]

The point of James is that good works contribute to one's salvation in at least the semi-pelagian sense. As 1 John teaches, you can't know that you are saved except by continual good works.

 

[sag38]

From "Bill the Maurading Troll" to "Bill the Theologian. Maybe you should write a book. The Gospel According to Bill. I'm sure it would be a hit down at the local union hall.

 

[carpro]

Although some rich work hard and make wise investments, I would imagine many rich inherit the wealth from their families. Also, many well to do have access to opportunities that many less fortunate do not.

There is also the fact that the rich seem to game the system, like becoming politicians, or having access to politicians and use this to enact laws that give them an advantage, like corporate welfare.

Although God has blessed some in the bible who were wealthy such as Abraham or King David and Solomon, there is a New Testament warning given to the rich.



I'm not saying that being rich is wrong, but God does warn about what we do with our riches.

Ironic how you quote scripture, but believe you deserve some of what the "rich" have.

Covetous is a sin. Let God handle the sins of the rich. Why do you allow yourself to be sucked into the vortex of sin by trying to do God's job?

BTW, less than 1 in 10 "rich" inherit their wealth. Does that increase or decrease you envy?

 

[glfredrick]

We tend to blame those who "have" when we "have not," largely because of jealousy and greed.

But, in large part -- throughout the history of the world -- those who "have" have supported those who "have not," and they still do to this day.

From a Christian perspective, we have yet to learn that we are not of this world, we are citizens of another kingdom. We need to forgo the storing up for ourselves treasures that only rot and rust.

One other thought... Don't we all wish and pray that a "rich" man (or woman) would come into our churches and be a benefactor? :laugh:

 

[Jim1999]

We had a very wealthy chap come to our house for lunch one day. He was unannounced when I brought him home. Wife emptied the plates, added a third plate and dished it back out divided by three.

Sam told wife it was best lunch he had and off he went. Later in the day I told her that was Sam (She then realized he was the multi-millionaire we knew.) Sam was just Sam to us because that is how he always presented himself.

His daughters earned their allowance by forming velcro (which he founded and owned) items together. Later when daughter was married and wanted to buy a house, he told her to buy the house she could afford. Later Sam gave her the mortgage back for a Christmas gift.

Not all the rich behave the same.

Cheers,

Jim