Wealthy People Are Evil

We all have perceptions, preconceived ideas, and bias in the way we think. As adults, part of our duty is to consider how we think to determine if there are inconsistencies.

From time to time I get the vibe from people that they think wealthy people are somehow responsible for all evil in the world. 

And this train of thought extends into Christianity, in which wealthy people are often treated like sub-standard believers because clearly their money means they don't really love God.

Let's look at some statements and springboard from them.

#1 Some wealthy people are greedy and evil.

Who can argue with this? 

I Timothy 6:9-10 They that [seek to] be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil--which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Many people who seek to be rich become rich. Their wealth brings them power, and their power gives them the ability to change the world. As selfish narcissists, they change the world as much as they can to benefit themselves. And this selfishness makes the world a worse place for everyone else.

#2 Many non-wealthy people are greedy and evil.

Go back and read those verses. Notice that the verses don't describe a person who possesses a lot of money! They describe a person who seeks money--who loves money. 

In other words, they live for money. They want money more than anything else.

How do you know if a non-wealthy person is greedy?

Pay attention to how much they talk about money. 

Are their conversations all about how they wish they had more money? 

Do they endlessly talk about winning the lottery? 

Or about how unfair it is that they don't have more money? 

Instead of being content, the non-wealthy greedy person feels entitled. Entitled to what? More money.

#3 Many non-wealthy people are kind, generous, and good.

These folks are a breathe of fresh air. They don't make a ton of money, and they don't have stock portfolios that will send their great grandchildren to Ivy league schools; but they have a heart.

These people realize how much they really have, and they wisely distribute their discretionary income to help people in need. They give their time and money to help others--just because it's the right thing to do.

Sure, they don't have a boat or a brand new pickup truck, but they still donate. They don't have a lake home, a beach home, or a garage full of motorized toys; yet they give to the truly poor.

They could spend their weekends trying to get more money, but instead they volunteer to teach, to mentor, to minister, to facilitate, to encourage, and to bring smiles to people's faces.

But is that limited to the lower and middle class money-makers? What do you think?

#4 Some wealthy people are kind, generous, and good.

It can be tempting to vilify wealthy people. After all, if you are a normal American, you are immediately jealous of these money mongers. They drive beautiful cars, live in beautiful houses, have beautiful spouses, go to beautiful places, work in perfect environments, and eat illustrious foods.

At least that's what our minds can tell us.

And some of that is true. But does that make them evil?

Do they automatically become greedy when they have all that money?

Sadly, many folks start out in category #4 and degenerate into category #1. It could happen to any of us, so don't be so quick to judge.

But take a step back and be fair. Think things through before you use wealthy people as scapegoats for all the world's problems.

Earlier I mentioned that Christians can think like this too. They glance across the aisle and see those fancy clothes and immediately pass judgment on their fellow church member.

"If they really loved Jesus, they wouldn't have all that money!"

Wait, what? Is that in the Bible?

Genesis 13:2 And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

I Kings 10:23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

There is a long list of men and women through history that were wealthy that also were kind, loving, moral individuals. Did they make mistakes? Yes, of course!

Matthew 19:24-26 I [Jesus] say unto you, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, "Who then can be saved?" And Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Often Christians quote verse 24 as proof that being financially well-off means you're not a good Christian. Apparently they failed to read verse 26, in which Jesus says it is possible for rich people to be part of God's kingdom.

It seems to me the greatest argument against wealthy Christians comes from our own understanding of what "fair" means. We think God should be fair to us. If one Christian has a million dollars, that doesn't seem fair when we only have eight hundred dollars.

So we have a couple choices. A Christian can believe that:

A. God is not fair.

B. That wealthy person isn't a good Christian. They are hoarding their money because of greed.

C. That wealthy person is a good Christian, and God has decided to give them wealth because that's part of His plan.

I choose C.


Resist the temptation to blame rich people for everything. Most of our blaming of wealthy folks boils down to our own jealousy and unhappiness. Sure, some of them are jerks; but not all of them.

And to the Christians who think that having money makes you a lukewarm, compromising Christian, stop it. 

Sometimes God gives people nice things. Okay? Get over it.

Image credits:
Money image from http://www.iamthelawofattraction.com/the-guide-to-wealth/
Greedy kid image from http://www.smosh.com/smosh-pit/articles/8-greediest-cartoon-characters
'I want' and 'Not fair' image from http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/forums/viewthread/4494/

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