What is Rich? I know it is a subjective term but can we break it down any?

[Bandit]

If you own more stuff than a hundred people, are you rich? How about a thousand people, and do those people have to live in the same neighborhood as you? When Jesus said it was impossible for a rich man to enter heaven, what do you think he meant? He said it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven....Is Pat Robertson or Franklin Graham rich? How about every single Republican that spouts off about Christianity like Hannity or Rush or Coulter or O'Really or well the list is actually endless..How about that quote being in every court room instead of the Ten Commandments, which actually has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus Christ?

[VWolf]

1. Meh

Repubs would just find a larger needle and a smaller camel.

For me, being rich means living well without having to work. In that sense, nobody I know is rich.

[grahamhgreen]

6. That's the definition.

[FirstLight]

2. I dunno...

If I had $1000 in my bank as a cushion, I'd be rich
If i didn't have to raid the kids piggy bank for gas $, I'd feel rich
If I ever made more than $20K a year....
etc.

[fasttense]

3. Anyone who has consistent access, year after year, to more than $70,000

is rich in my estimation.

I say that because a study was done a while back. I heard it on the Thom Hartman show but I can't find the link. Anyway the study broke out the numbers and said $70,000 a year is what a family needs to meet it's obligation and be happy. Any more than that leads to problems of being too wealthy.

I wanted to add that I'm glad you brought up that quote from Jesus. And doesn't the bible say something about the love of money being the root of all evil?

It seems a lot of religious people are taking a serious risk with their eternal souls and hell, what with all their huge wealth. If you truly believed in what Jesus said, wouldn't you make sure you didn't get too wealthy? Jesus did not have much praise for rich people. And his discussion about wealth did not put it as a priority for a truly Christian person. Yet all these rich pastors, make millions off their followers and don't seem worried about their eternal souls.

If I were Christian, I would stay away from money because it seems to be the one thing that made Jesus very angry.

Do you know what occupation the one person Jesus told he would see in heaven was? A THIEF!

[Bandit]

4. Boy is that a major inconsistency or what?

To have wealth is unforgivable but to steal to get wealth is just fine...:crazy:

[Igel]

5. For the sake of argument,

it's worth pointing out that while Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

He, however, did not say it was impossible. When the disciples said, "Who can be saved?" Jesus responded that with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

That would entail that it's possible for rich men to enter into the kingdom of God.

It's easy to miss the obvious point when reaching for a cudgel.

[raouldukelives]

10. Exactly. It's possible and the process is explained

Sell all your belongings, distribute it to the poor and follow Jesus.

[kentauros]

7. I always felt Chris Rock said it best on the actual difference

between "rich" and "wealthy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWERzwbobOk

:D

[SheilaT]

8. It has a lot to do with who you compare yourself with.

I recall reading some years back that an important reason many people in this country -- even those who were clearly well off by objective standards -- felt relatively deprived, is that people tend to compare themselves and their lot with those who have more, rather than those who have less.

Ever since then, I've tried to compare myself with those earning less, rather than those earning more. I don't always succeed, and like almost everyone I wouldn't mind having more, but now I find it a lot easier to realize how much I actually have. Recently my income, like so many others, have taken a hit, in part because of a divorce. Because I actually do have enough to get by: pay my rent, buy food, etc., I'm somewhat enjoying aspects of my reduced state. I've rediscovered the joys of the public library, and rarely buy books anymore. I've signed up for Netflix, rather than going to the movies.

And for me, any Biblical or religion-based judgements about wealth and poverty don't move me at all.

[JohnnyRingo]

9. Everyone above me is rich...

and everyone below me is poor.
That's why I and others like me enjoy fooling ourselves into believing we're somehow "middle class".

I've heard many a barstool republican rail against the poor, demanding the apron strings be cut. They go on complaining about social programs that help people maintain a standard of living while seemingly not realizing they themselves are two paychecks away from food stamps.

I believe that many feel the need to push others down to make themselves feel more wealthy, as if social status is a commodity that is in limited supply. If someone is lifted from poverty, these people feel they've been pushed down.

After all, if there is no abject poverty, how can I tell how successful I am?

Good post.