Rich vs Poor?

We live in a society saturated with disagreement and division on many topics, one of which is the supposed dichotomy of rich versus poor. One end of the political spectrum accuses those who are “successful” (using a very narrow but common definition based only on monetary measures) of greed, exploitation, and more. Those on the opposing extreme accuse the “unsuccessful” of laziness, graft, and worse. Each group views the other as engaged in a type of thievery, leveraging the political-economic system to take what is not rightfully theirs.

Certainly, there are among both the “successful” and the “unsuccessful” those who are of less than admirable character (we’ll refer to them as jerks, though some would no doubt prefer a much stronger term). There are rich jerks, and there are poor jerks, though each group asserts that the other has a much higher incidence of “jerkism.”  Envy plays a part in this type of labeling, as does a reciprocal lack of empathy. The situation is exacerbated by politicians and others who retain power by playing the two ends of the economic scale against each other.

I do not expect a brief essay can solve this issue, but will suggest three questions that I believe are applicable across the economic spectrum. Rich and poor alike, and all in between, would do well to ask themselves (and answer honestly) these simple questions:

Question 1 – Do you obtain your income/wealth in ways that are thoroughly honest, honorable, and ethical?

For those deemed “successful” the question might focus on areas such as strictly ethical business practices, fair treatment of employees, recognition and reward of others’ contributions, and avoidance of products or services that, simply put, do not make the world a better place.

For those less “successful” the question has other implications. Some are apparent (e.g., not stealing from or otherwise cheating employers, utilizing public or private assistance honestly and only as needed, etc.). Others are less obvious and more challenging (e.g., developing a work ethic, or committing to the training or education required to increase skills, knowledge, and earning power).

Irrespective of one’s position on the economic continuum, society is justified in expecting each individual to adhere to common ethical standards that exclude dishonest means of acquiring income/wealth (in other words, don’t be a jerk).

Question 2 – Do you recognize that you obtain your income/wealth through skills, abilities, and opportunities for which you are indebted to others?

This question is particularly appropriate for “successful” persons who attribute their success to their own intelligence, knowledge, self-discipline, personality, etc.  Too often, “successful” people sees themselves as ‘self-made men’ (or women) and avoid pertinent issues like the following:

Who helped you develop your self-discipline and work ethic? Who contributed to your formal and informal education? Who provided the opportunities you used to become successful? What do you really know that you did not learn from someone else? You did not create yourself or the entirety of your circumstances, so don’t pretend that you did (in other words, don’t be a jerk).

Question 3 – To what extent do you use your income/wealth for the benefit of others?

It is currently popular to rail against those at the top of the economic scale, to characterize the wealthy as somehow unfairly privileged, or even as evil usurpers (unfortunately, plain old envy rising to the surface, which is why the definition of “too rich” is always applied to those with significantly more than I have). But the appropriate response to the reality of uneven wealth is not “Shame on you for having more than I have.” Instead, the question that should be applied is “For what worthwhile purpose(s) are you using the wealth you have been fortunate enough to acquire?”

Posing this question to multi-millionaires might be a popular idea, but we should not limit its application to the super-wealthy. It is absolutely fair to ask this question of every individual who has the ability and opportunity to obtain income/wealth beyond a minimal subsistence level (including the vast majority of Americans). It is fair and reasonable to confront wealthy individuals about their stewardship practices, and even to insist the wealth they control is not primarily intended for their self-gratification (in other words, don’t be a jerk).

In summary, wealth is not evidence of a character defect or unprincipled behavior. It is instead a weighty responsibility entrusted to the care of those who possess it. They have an obligation to use it wisely and generously, with a commitment to “make the world a better place.”

p.s. for those interested, consider the following from book of Proverbs: Prov. 10:4, 11:1, 12:11, 14:23, 16:19, 19:17, 20:10, 21:13, 22:2, 22:22, 29:13, 31:8-9.