Wealth (Wall of Text)

[retributionnk]

I'll start out by saying that wealth is not determined by the amount of currency you have. Currency is merely a placeholder for goods or services. Currency exists so we don't have to assign a specific value to everything, and so that I don't have to carry a bunch of precious metals or electronics equipment around when I want to buy something. Unfortunately for us, there's no backing to US currency, and when it flops and inflates, it's probably wiser to just have a bunch of goods laying around, because their value won't fluctuate nearly as much.

That said, why are we so concerned about the wealth of others? If you make 50k a year, and your neighbor makes 100k, why do you feel jealous? Why do people expect Oprah, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Donald Trump to donate so much of their income to charity? Why do people feel like rich people's income should be taxed at a higher rate than the non-rich? I think I have the answers to all of these questions.

An increasingly large number of people nowadays are of the belief that economy is a set size, like a pie, and that every citizen must try to get their slice of that pie. So essentially, many people think that there's only so much wealth in the world, and that wealth is unevenly distributed. That belief is playing in to our political policy, personal views, and social standards--but it couldn't be more wrong.

To prove the 'finite pie' theory of economy wrong, I'll offer an example. We are wealthier than people 500 years ago. Even the poorest person in the US can pick up a phone right now (after scrounging some change), and call anyone in the world. Not even the richest person 500 years ago couldn't do it. That means that in the last 500 years, the 'economic pie' has increased in size. Not only is wealth not finite, it is also subject to individual perception.

The finite pie theory logically leads to a view that every transaction has a winner and a loser--also wrong. Transactions are conducted based upon one thing: perceived value. I'll give an example: Let's say RB is a painter. I come to him wanting my house painted. He comes out, checks out the condition of the current paint, and gives me a quote of $1000. Now, if I choose to have RB paint my house, it's because I value having my house painted more than I value the $1000, so I win. RB, after giving me the quote, is saying that he values the $1000 more than the time and effort it takes him to paint my house. He wins too! Look, a transaction with two winners.

Wow... I've got tons more to say on the basics of economy, but I'll quit here. Sorry for the wall of text, just venting econ-rage I guess. Thanks if you actually took the time to read it!

[Blues]

I don't expect rich people to pay more taxes, i expect them to actually pay their share instead of loopholes, and the low/middle class footing their share.

[RenaissanceMan]

I don't expect rich people to pay more taxes, i expect them to actually pay their share instead of loopholes, and the low/middle class footing their share.

The Rich pay less because they give more away. Further the Rich give so much and God's principle on giving (It is more blessed to give than to receive, and give and it shall be given back to you...) is a fixed law of God that works with anything...money, time, possessions, giving out smiles.. whether you are a Christian or not. It is called the law of seed time and harvest and the Bible says it will be in effect as long as the earth remains.

However, Poor people hold on to everything. That is the law of the Rich and the Poor. One can NEVER get a harvest if they eat their seed instead of planting it.

Example: Bill Gates pays less taxes because he gives millions of computers away each year all over the world. The catch is that the people still need his software... smart huh.

[Sex Wax]

The Rich pay less because they give more away. Further the Rich give so much and God's principle on giving (It is more blessed to give than to receive, and give and it shall be given back to you...) is a fixed law of God that works with anything...money, time, possessions, giving out smiles.. whether you are a Christian or not. It is called the law of seed time and harvest and the Bible says it will be in effect as long as the earth remains.
However, Poor people hold on to everything. That is the law of the Rich and the Poor. One can NEVER get a harvest if they eat their seed instead of planting it.

Example: Bill Gates pays less taxes because he gives millions of computers away each year all over the world. The catch is that the people still need his software... smart huh.

Does every one of your posts HAVE to have religion in it? Or is your view on money simply equated to how many bibles and jesus paintings you own?

[Saint Borlaug]

retributionnk has proved that the free markets work!

[retributionnk]

What the hell is a free market? The entire OP was just a veiled reference to an LL Cool J song in which he is possessed by the Stay-Puff Marshmallow man. Can't believe you guys didn't get it...

[GODH8SU]

Hey RM, rich people don't "give" away money. It's their way of avoiding higher tax costs. They get huge tax breaks by "donating" to charity. Didn't God tell you that?

[DougP]

Hey RM, rich people don't "give" away money. It's their way of avoiding higher tax costs. They get huge tax breaks by "donating" to charity. Didn't God tell you that?

Guess he just did.:thumbup:

[RenaissanceMan]

Hey RM, rich people don't "give" away money. It's their way of avoiding higher tax costs. They get huge tax breaks by "donating" to charity. Didn't God tell you that?

I see you missed the point. Giving = donating = giving = donating according to the IRS.

[RenaissanceMan]

Does every one of your posts HAVE to have religion in it? Or is your view on money simply equated to how many bibles and jesus paintings you own?

No, however, it amplified my meaning. Also, some people choose to talk about females, money, their crazy adventures, or even their favorite sports team, or club affiliation. My club is church, my business is Kingdom Business, so I speak about Christ.

Ask yourself is it the principles you don't agree with, or is it God you don't agree with?

[Sex Wax]

Ask yourself is it the principles you don't agree with, or is it God you don't agree with?

I don't agree with either, as they both should have nothing to do with money. Or is it still "the more you give to the Church, the faster you go to Heaven"?

[Zim the Invader]

http://lc.fdots.com/cc/lc/8b/8ba1204cfd4c7f15345796cd089cad58.jpg

[GODH8SU]

http://lc.fdots.com/cc/lc/8b/8ba1204cfd4c7f15345796cd089cad58.jpg

You rang? :D

[GODH8SU]

Does every one of your posts HAVE to have religion in it? Or is your view on money simply equated to how many bibles and jesus paintings you own?



No, however, it amplified my meaning. Also, some people choose to talk about females, money, their crazy adventures, or even their favorite sports team, or club affiliation. My club is church, my business is Kingdom Business, so I speak about Christ.

Ask yourself is it the principles you don't agree with, or is it God you don't agree with?

Amplified? No, it just instantly made everyone completely ignore the rest of your rhetoric. You say God, I say delete.

[RenaissanceMan]

I don't agree with either, as they both should have nothing to do with money. Or is it still "the more you give to the Church, the faster you go to Heaven"?

We are nothing but stewards of everything God allows us to have or use including jobs, family, wife, kids, dog, the very breathe in our lungs. God give and He takes away. 10% given to God is much better than living under a curse according to Malachi 3:10+

[GODH8SU]

We are nothing but stewards of everything God allows us to have or use including jobs, family, wife, kids, dog, the very breathe in our lungs. God give and He takes away. 10% given to God is much better than living under a curse according to Malachi 3:10+

Good thing I don't know this Malachi character or give two flying fu*ks what the hell he says.

[dk]

That's just Malachi's way of saying, "**** you, pay me!" Old-school gangsta style.

If you don't give us a percentage, your life is going to be a living hell.

Man, who does that sound like? lol.

[Richard Burns]

That's just Malachi's way of saying, "**** you, pay me!" Old-school gangsta style.

If you don't give us a percentage, your life is going to be a living hell.

Man, who does that sound like? lol.

The IRS?
Barack obama ?
US government in general?

[TheLastDon]

The God Delusion
http://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618680004
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/The_God_Delusion_UK.jpg/200px-The_God_Delusion_UK.jpg



God is not great!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6b/God_is_not_great.JPG/200px-God_is_not_great.JPG

http://www.amazon.com/God-Not-Great-Religion-Everything/dp/0446579807

Not bad for some light reading. :)

[RenaissanceMan]

So, to explain what Malachi 3:10+ is talking about... so you can respond more definitively. The verse is speaking about God owning everything, however the devil is called the god of this world. He stole ownership from Adam way back in Genesis. However, he is still a created being and powerless against God. Matter of fact he still reports to God whenever summoned... see the book of Job chapter 1. So to get to the point, whenever we decide to keep back our hand from God, or giving as God says to give we essentially tell God he does not own it WE do. That's when satan steps in and takes ownership of our lives, and keeps us and our families like puppets on a string. God will back you up when you don't back down, but when you leave God out of the equation anywhere in your life you come out from under the "umbrella" of his protection. Not a funny joke or anything, we are just talking about authority and responsibility. God considers all of our daily problems, wants and needs his responsibility until we decide we do not want His blessings on our lives.

[Sex Wax]

So, to explain what Malachi 3:10+ is talking about... so you can respond more definitively. The verse is speaking about God owning everything, however the devil is called the god of this world. He stole ownership from Adam way back in Genesis. However, he is still a created being and powerless against God. Matter of fact he still reports to God whenever summoned... see the book of Job chapter 1. So to get to the point, whenever we decide to keep back our hand from God, or giving as God says to give we essentially tell God he does not own it WE do. That's when satan steps in and takes ownership of our lives, and keeps us and our families like puppets on a string. God will back you up when you don't back down, but when you leave God out of the equation anywhere in your life you come out from under the "umbrella" of his protection. Not a funny joke or anything, we are just talking about authority and responsibility. God considers all of our daily problems, wants and needs his responsibility until we decide we do not want His blessings on our lives.

Well Malachi or God needs to pay my bills for a few months.

[GODH8SU]

So, to explain what Malachi 3:10+ is talking about... so you can respond more definitively. The verse is speaking about God owning everything, however the devil is called the god of this world. He stole ownership from Adam way back in Genesis. However, he is still a created being and powerless against God. Matter of fact he still reports to God whenever summoned... see the book of Job chapter 1. So to get to the point, whenever we decide to keep back our hand from God, or giving as God says to give we essentially tell God he does not own it WE do. That's when satan steps in and takes ownership of our lives, and keeps us and our families like puppets on a string. God will back you up when you don't back down, but when you leave God out of the equation anywhere in your life you come out from under the "umbrella" of his protection. Not a funny joke or anything, we are just talking about authority and responsibility. God considers all of our daily problems, wants and needs his responsibility until we decide we do not want His blessings on our lives.

See, look at that, coruption from the getgo. I knew Jesus was a Jew but he had nothing on his pops.