Is It Immoral to Be a Trillionaire?
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“After the initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX, Musk has officially become the world’s first trillionaire (sadly, SpaceX stock has taken a tumble and now Musk is only a 900 billionaire).” - P&D
As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“After the initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX, Musk has officially become the world’s first trillionaire (sadly, SpaceX stock has taken a tumble and now Musk is only a 900 billionaire).” - P&D
We humans need stuff. We need food, and clothing, and shelter, and we need a way to get those things. The past year has made us aware of how much we need other things, too: love, companionship, interaction, variety.
We also want stuff. We want money—always just a bit more than we have. We want better health—even if we live in ways that seem to contradict that. We want recognition, which these days comes most commonly by way of likes and shares and congratulatory comments.
“Sixteen years ago, my wife and I winnowed all our earthly possessions to eight suitcases, turned down a pair of six-figure incomes, and became missionary physicians in rural Africa. In doing so, I thought I was choosing a life of modest poverty. Instead, I discovered I was an amazingly rich tycoon.” - Mere Orthodoxy
“There is a danger to be avoided in prosperity. When we are comfortable, we forget God and wrongly ascribe the blessings we enjoy as arising from ourselves… . Furthermore, when we are comfortable with our circumstances, we inevitably desire greater comfort.” - P&D
“Almost half (45%) of U.S. Protestant churchgoers say to receive material blessings from God they have to do something for God. The percentage that agrees has almost doubled from the 26% who agreed in a 2017 Lifeway Research study.” - Ministrywatch
“I’m not saying that you should… purposefully inconvenience yourself just so you can say you’re suffering. Rather, simply beware that the blessings that God provides with the many creature comforts we enjoy can become an idol.” - Credo
“more than half of U.S. Protestant pastors believe comfort (67%), control or security (56%), money (55%) and approval (51%) are idols that have significant influence on their congregations” - Lifeway
“Because you would rather stay home with your children—which is a great desire—your work outside of the home may feel more like a ‘have to’ than a ‘want to’ or a ‘get to.’ And that sort of situation can be the breeding ground for contempt and bitterness…So, what can you do about it? I think you have two options. With God’s help, you could either change your situation or change your heart.” - TGC
Discussion