But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also. (2 Ne 9:30)
It seems that Jacob is saying that because one is rich, one will despise the poor. Is this really automatic?
First, what does ‘rich’ mean? Is there an absolute measurement to determine when someone is rich? I am sure that because my salary is above the provincial average, Tent City residents would think I am rich. Yet at the same time there are many people who make six, seven and eight figure amounts of an annual salary, which I do not.
Second, why would be rich automatically make one despise the poor? wouldn’t that depend on the person’s disposition? If one was disposed to being selfish and boast in his/her higher status compared to others, wouldn’t that person despise the poor? Would others without those dispositions automatically despise the poor if they were rich?
Lastly, was this just a Nephite phenomenon? Does it not happen in our day?
The rich don’t despise the poor. They despise themselves.
The middle and upper classes despise the poor because they despise themselves, but also because they are 1-3 pay checks, or a dire medical emergency from being poor.
The lower you go on the economic strata the higher the rage against the poor.
The rich as sadistic bastards that exploit the upper and middle and working and poor classes.
They hate all classes!
People despise the poor because the poor really don’t want to be rich, but focus on happiness, family ties, preservation of their culture and traditions, and true freedom.
Money does not buy you freedom and security. You could lose it all and be homeless in an eye blink.
Yet the rich and upper/middle class chase the almighty dollar as if their lives depended on it — knowing full well that they are slaves — and they hate the poor could care less. So they say the poor are ignorant and unenlightened.
Knowing full well that they themselves are the fools for understanding the system, yet still willing participate in slavery.
Which one is worst – living in the moment, not necessarily understanding the vulnerability that we all in fact live with, or willingly being a slave?