what is it like to be priveliged?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

17Bees

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2016
1,380
813
113
#41
sounds good to me.

Although I never thought what we drove was THAT important. With so many cars on the road, what type of car it is doesnt really factor in anything so long as it gets you from a to b and is registered. People dont make room for you unless you drive an ambulance.

I think you're kinda privileged to live in NZ to begin with! I can remember even as a kid fingering my way around a map of NZ. I wouldn't want to live in Auckland, rather the main island south - maybe Queenstown. Marry a nice Polynesian girl and raise sheep and fish Lake Wakatipu!! Sounds pretty exotic to me. :love:.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#42
I think you're kinda privileged to live in NZ to begin with! I can remember even as a kid fingering my way around a map of NZ. I wouldn't want to live in Auckland, rather the main island south - maybe Queenstown. Marry a nice Polynesian girl and raise sheep and fish Lake Wakatipu!! Sounds pretty exotic to me. :love:.
lol
well its got some things going for it
but you need to be extremely well off to live in Queenstown...most workers live in the next town and commute. Also most polynesians live in the north island. South Island is too cold and. She wouldnt be happy there, cant really go barefoot in the snow.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#43
the announcement was made that there will be FREE LUNCH next year at school! EVERYDAY!
I wonder what it will be? sandwiches? meat pies? cakes? PIZZA???
so children wont need to bring their own lunch?


You know how people used to say 'there is no such thing as a free lunch' Well I would say no, there actually is! hooray!

Im feeling priveliged. I wonder if staff will be eligible for any. We could eat the leftovers. We still need to pay for our own christmas do.
I wonder if theres many workplaces that offer free lunch, aside if you work in a lunch bar. Now that would be an incentive for many to work their best, cos you cant do much work on empty stomach when you cant afford lunch.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#44
We periodically get a lot of threads in the forum talking about how horrible rich people are, and how the Bible says that a camel will have an easier time going through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into heaven.

And yet, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon were all rich beyond our wildest dreams. (Solomon would probably look at President Trump -- and laugh.)

I always wonder if Abraham and Sarah were alive today, would Sarah do her grocery shopping at Walmart, or would they consider a store like that below them?

Before we ask what it's like for the "privileged," I think it's important to define exactly how it should be defined for the context of this thread. This is actually excellent timing -- my pastor happened to mention this site in his sermon this weekend:

https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org/how-rich-am-i?income=40000&countryCode=USA&household[adults]=2&household[children]=2


So, may I humbly request that before we talk about "the rich", that we could all take a glance at this site and see where we ourselves stand first? It will ask you what country you live in, how much your income is, and how many adults and children you have living in your household.

Out of curiosity, I plugged in: "Country: USA. Income: $40,000 (as an example of a fictitious family.) Adults living in household: 2. Children living in household: 2."

The results came back that this income qualifies as being 5.3 times the median global income, and would put you in the richest 14% of the global population. It goes on to say that even if you gave away 10% of your income, you would STILL be considered to be within the richest 15% of the global population.

So, may I ask, who are we talking about here when we're asking about "The Privileged"? Those who are in, say, the 14% percentile of being the richest in the world (like this family,) or only those who are in the very smallest percentile?

How much, exactly, qualifies a person as "privileged," and therefore seen as, "one of THOSE people"?

Amen


Don't forget Lydia as well

Job

probably Mary Magdalene though no one knows for sure
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#47
I live in the valley, what I see is other peoples houses.
the mountains we have are actually dormant volcanoes.

They arent smoky unless they are actually active and on fire and erupting. lol

One did literally erupt a few years ago on white island and killed some tourists who went on the boat to walk on the island to have a close look even though they know its an active volcano. They were literally turned to ashes.

I dont mean you Tourist.
I think you are priveliged to not live near a dangerous mountain volcano like that. You can look at them and not fear for your life that they are going to blow up or send a lava landslide killing everything in its path.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#48
In regards to the thread title, I wouldn't know.

Hopefully, I will be living up in the mountains soon.

Ooo,.where in the mountains are you off to?.What will you be doing there
We live in Tennessee and within `5 minutes driving distance from the Smokies. It is just pleasant and relaxing to look at them. Very scenic.
sounds lovely
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#49
Kind of off Subject, but kind of not; (My OPINION based off of Gospel) Many Evangelists Here in America are Rolling in Money, living EXTREMELY privileged lives, claiming its what GOD wants. That is contrary to what Jesus teaches. I have made a significant amount of money in my life, but you would not know it. Ive tried to use it in a Godly manner, Bringing people the saving spirit of Jesus Christ.

The Lord tells me that NO Believer should be wealthy AT ALL while there is Hunger, Homelessness, War, etc. Our Brothers and Sisters are suffering as well as those who do not yet know the Lord, Just my 2 cents 😊❤. (Sorry if I Burglarized your post 😬)
I don't think God has a problem with a ny of his children being well off if they use that wealth to be a blessing to others.

When we come to Jesus we surrender our lives and resources to Him. He told the rich young ruler to give his property and assets away but to some believers he would not tell them to sell all they have but maybe to use what they have to bless others. So his instructions won't be the same to all his children. The bottom line though is the same, it's about using what we have to bless others who are in need
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,696
9,622
113
#50
I don't think God has a problem with a ny of his children being well off if they use that wealth to be a blessing to others.

When we come to Jesus we surrender our lives and resources to Him. He told the rich young ruler to give his property and assets away but to some believers he would not tell them to sell all they have but maybe to use what they have to bless others. So his instructions won't be the same to all his children. The bottom line though is the same, it's about using what we have to bless others who are in need
Yeah, God seems to be very big on trickle-down economies.

The problem comes when we elevate money above what it should be. It makes a very good tool, but a very poor life goal.

Or to put it the way a friend of mine said, you can't serve God and Mammon at the same time, but you can make Mammon serve you... And, depending on your finances, serve the people around you.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#51
Yeah, God seems to be very big on trickle-down economies.

The problem comes when we elevate money above what it should be. It makes a very good tool, but a very poor life goal.

Or to put it the way a friend of mine said, you can't serve God and Mammon at the same time, but you can make Mammon serve you... And, depending on your finances, serve the people around you.
Yes
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#52
I recall Princess Diana auctioning all her dresses she wasnt wearing anymore for charity.
A lot of wealthy people do end up selling all they have through auction houses. Some use the money for themselves but others actually do use their wealth to bless others, which is a privelige.

It must be a good feeling I think.

Some of the dresses fetched a very high price, I wonder what people did with them, if anybody actually wore them again. A few end up in museums.

I know some wealthy people have so much of something, like a collection, they turn their house into a museum or give it to a museum for others to enjoy. These are wealthy people who collect old cars..vintage and classic for example. Nobody really needs more than one car, but they have maybe 20! Most of them sitting in their garage or barn collecting dust cos who can drive them all the time you cant.

I guess am like this with books because they are easy to share and give away. All of us have something. I have children who cant yet read or find reading difficult so I read aloud and that is my privelige to read with them.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#53
I recall Princess Diana auctioning all her dresses she wasnt wearing anymore for charity.
A lot of wealthy people do end up selling all they have through auction houses. Some use the money for themselves but others actually do use their wealth to bless others, which is a privelige.

It must be a good feeling I think.

Some of the dresses fetched a very high price, I wonder what people did with them, if anybody actually wore them again. A few end up in museums.

I know some wealthy people have so much of something, like a collection, they turn their house into a museum or give it to a museum for others to enjoy. These are wealthy people who collect old cars..vintage and classic for example. Nobody really needs more than one car, but they have maybe 20! Most of them sitting in their garage or barn collecting dust cos who can drive them all the time you cant.

I guess am like this with books because they are easy to share and give away. All of us have something. I have children who cant yet read or find reading difficult so I read aloud and that is my privelige to read with them.
I feel the same way about books

They
Like oxygen to me
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#54
I wonder what its like to be priveliged

Doors open wherever you go, never having to suffer anything cos you are always first, never really knowing sorrow or heartbreak but only ' rich peoples problems' like how to spend your fortune!

has anyone had that, must be a nice problem to have...if so what are you all spending your fortune on...do tell the rest of us.


I once went past this huge hole in the ground on my travels, it was a gold mine, to think it was people just kept digging and digging to extract all that gold and now the land there is useless for anything as all the gold is gone if they keep digging the whole ecosystem would collapse.
Although I dont always think about such things everyday, but then where does all the oil and electicrity and water come from that runs everything? I know people who can just buy land or they already have it, but it seems to me when people buy a piece of land they just want to play monopoly on it and put as many trump towers on it as possible to get more money from it


Rich people never suffer? This may be true in terms of finances and socio economic advantages. I don't deny that these advantages must be huge and overall quality of life igoing to be better for them. More opportunities because money talks

But am not sure they never go through emotional spiritual or health hardships. These affect everybody. I guess maybe the money gives them the means to numb the pain e.g. They can afford drugs alcohol etc. Not that am saying those are a good thing! I guess things like hobbies, vacations, nice clothes would be a better example

But issues such as addiction, mental ill ness, physical illness, crime, abuse, depression, sadness, anger and sin are no less prevalent amongst the rich. Because these are human issues not money issues
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,696
9,622
113
#55
Rich people never suffer? This may be true in terms of finances and socio economic advantages. I don't deny that these advantages must be huge and overall quality of life igoing to be better for them. More opportunities because money talks

But am not sure they never go through emotional spiritual or health hardships. These affect everybody. I guess maybe the money gives them the means to numb the pain e.g. They can afford drugs alcohol etc. Not that am saying those are a good thing! I guess things like hobbies, vacations, nice clothes would be a better example

But issues such as addiction, mental ill ness, physical illness, crime, abuse, depression, sadness, anger and sin are no less prevalent amongst the rich. Because these are human issues not money issues
Ah... yes, well, let me explain. Lanolin has a "thing" about rich people. She finds it convenient to believe rich people are above everything and never have to deal with real life. She has started many threads ranting about rich people, and inserted sarcastic posts about rich people in many other threads.

If you try to use logic she will just ignore it. The best thing to do is either pretend you agree with her or pretend you did not see her post.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#56
Ah... yes, well, let me explain. Lanolin has a "thing" about rich people. She finds it convenient to believe rich people are above everything and never have to deal with real life. She has started many threads ranting about rich people, and inserted sarcastic posts about rich people in many other threads.

If you try to use logic she will just ignore it. The best thing to do is either pretend you agree with her or pretend you did not see her post.
Ah, ok. I have a rich family member and I see them as much a human being as anyone else. Like skin colour or culture, being rich or poor is only a part of someone's identity . It may shape them but it doesn't define them! Jesus looks at the heart motives not the outside trappings
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#57
I dont put the rich on a pedastal but in some societies, like the Brits do, they seem to idolise their royal family who are richer than anyone else though they have their share of problems!

Prince charles got covid, but isolating was kinda easy for him. He had an entire palace to go isolate in (and could choose from a number of them)

if he wanted to, he could have any number of mistresses cos he could afford to keep them. If his water was too cold in his bath he would have a servant to come and make it just the right temperature. That kind of thing.
 

EnglishChick

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2021
673
349
63
42
England UK
#58
I dont put the rich on a pedastal but in some societies, like the Brits do, they seem to idolise their royal family who are richer than anyone else though they have their share of problems!

Prince charles got covid, but isolating was kinda easy for him. He had an entire palace to go isolate in (and could choose from a number of them)

if he wanted to, he could have any number of mistresses cos he could afford to keep them. If his water was too cold in his bath he would have a servant to come and make it just the right temperature. That kind of thing.
I

I do think having money makes things easier.

I know the bible says we must not be lovers of money but am sure Jesus understands we need some in order to survive! I guess on the new earth and in heaven we won't need it
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#59
I

I do think having money makes things easier.

I know the bible says we must not be lovers of money but am sure Jesus understands we need some in order to survive! I guess on the new earth and in heaven we won't need it
yep look forward to the day when everything is free or money is no object.

I remember growing up and every womens magazine they would put the royals on the cover (still do) and every week there would be some story about them, and if it wasnt the royals it was someone else rich and famous...there was hardly anyone poor who made the cover. If they werent talking about their soap opera lives they would do a story on how much their furniture cost and what designer designed their clothes and what they spent all their money on. I often wondered why they were reporting on this as if people needed to know lol. I suppose if peoples tax dollars are supporting the royals they felt everyone ought to know what their money is being used for....