Aug 19 2008
What is the definition of being rich?
On Saturday night I watched part of the forum that was held at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. I’ll admit that I was flipping back and forth from the Olympics. But I digress. One of the candidates made a comment to a question asked by Pastor Rick Warren.
Rick asked the candidate, “what do you consider to be rich?”
The gentleman gave a great funny answer of anyone who sells 25 million books. (laughter) Then he said I would consider the middle class as being anyone who makes $150,000 or less!
OK, I’ve never made anywhere near $150K. I haven’t even come close to $100K even when I was in the business world. I actually have made less money at each church since I left Peachtree Corners back in 2001 to start a church. I’m going backwards. So if $150K is middle class then I’m in the bottom third.
But this got me thinking. What is rich? When I went to the Ukraine a few years back our hosts told us that the average Ukrainian makes an average of $20 US a month! That struck me hard back then. That isn’t enough to feed a family at McDonalds or Wendys here in the US for one meal. I once lived in the poorest county in NC and my pay reflected that. But I have no idea what real poverty is.
Malawi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world with an income per person of around $160 per year. Most Americans make more than that in a day. Some people make that in an hour.
Look at the 10 poorest countries in the world:
| Poorest Countries in the World | ||
| Rank | Country | GDP - per capita |
| 1 | Malawi | $ 600 |
| 2 | Somalia | $ 600 |
| 3 | Comoros | $ 600 |
| 4 | Solomon Islands | $ 600 |
| 5 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | $ 700 |
| 6 | Burundi | $ 700 |
| 7 | East Timor | $ 800 |
| 8 | Tanzania | $ 800 |
| 9 | Afghanistan | $ 800 |
| 10 | Yemen | $ 900 |
So really the definition of rich is almost everyone in the US. We need to quit whining about $4 gas and other problems in the US, because we have it made here in the US. I’ll bet people in every country above would trade places with those of us in the lower third of “middle class.”
What do you think?
9 responses so far
No question that compared to many I am rich. It will take me over 3 years to make what the candidate said would be the middle class. I never considered myself poor. Man, he makes it like poverty. But I digress. Timothy says, “There is great gain in Godliness with contentment.” (ESV) I am rich…not because I have tons of cash but because I know the One who is able to take care of every need I have. I really have nothing to complain about.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Where Do I Draw the Line?
The other candidate said $5 million.
Jonathan’s last blog post..The Clone Wars
I’ve heard too many funny definitions of rich to offer a serious one, except to state that we’re all mostly rich by any objective standard that goes beyond our own borders. But the best line I’ve heard about that was that we Americans seem to gripe constantly, about how tough things are.
With our mouths full of steak.
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..I Was Saving Myself For Peggy…..
After reading this I quickly googled “what is middle class.” The first several links I clicked on talked about people who made roughly $100,000 (way more than me) that were struggling. Ironically, these “middle classers” all had multiple cars, nice homes, multiple TVs, etc. I think it isn’t so important to focus on how much we make, but how we spend it. Someone who makes $3 mil a year and just throws it around might be more financial strained than someone who makes $20k and is smart.
Michael’s last blog post..Daniel 1 & 2: Sticking to Your Guns without Shooting Anyone
Oh to be middle class!
The numbers are staggering!
Did you know that half the world—nearly three billion people—live on less than two dollars a day.
Did you know that more than 80% of the world’s population lives in countries where income differentials are widening.
Did you know that the poorest 40% of the world’s population accounts for 5% of global income. The richest 20% accounts for three-quarters of world income.
Did you know, according to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”
Did you know, based on enrollment data, about 72 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not in school in 2005; 57% of them were girls. And these are regarded as optimisitic numbers.
Folks, we have it too good in America. And yes, we all (and I’m at the head of the class) complain way too much about things that won’t matter even five minutes from now!
Thanks for the wakeup call this morning Kevin! I, for one, needed it.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Some Simple Questions to Ponder
Jonathan,
The other candidate said rich was 5 million. But middle class is $150K?
I guess rich is anyone who makes more than us!
Did ya’ll see that Ed McMahon is having to foreclose on his house?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..What is the definition of being rich?
Kevin…didn’t you hear…Donald Trump has come to ole Ed’s rescue! He is buying the house and giving it back to McMahon…for now…
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Some Simple Questions to Ponder
I went to Africa to speak at a Pastor’s conference one time. I will never forget stopping to eat at a fast food place in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania. The cost of our meal was about $2.50. Later I found out that for the worker that served me my food… to eat at their own restaurant would be about one week’s pay. That is mind boggling. Yep. We are rich compared to most of the world.
Robert Pooley’s last blog post..My Wordle
Kevin:
Thanks for reminding us that we are blessed here in America compared to the rest of the world.
I will never forget my first overseas missions trip to Bolivia 14 years ago. I met and fellowshipped with believers who live in one or two room shacks on the outskirts of the city of Santa Cruz. They were poor by American standards, BUT, they had a joy that was “…unspeakable and full of glory”. Jesus was all they needed and they displayed it in their life and testimony!
I can still vividly remember the great shame I felt for all that I possessed, even though I am not rich by American standards. I was and remain rich compared to their country’s standard of living.