The Top 1 Percent

If you earn over $34,000 a year, you are among the top 1% income earners in the world. An annual income over $70,000 puts you in the top 0.1% of the world. (Milanovic, The Haves and the Have-Nots. 2010)

If you have more than 99% of the world, should you care for those who are not as privileged?

Let's look at it from a slightly different perspective. Imagine you were visiting a foreign country, where you didn't speak the local language, and you lost your money and passport. Now you are one of the powerless, the 'Have-nots'. You would be at the mercy and kindness of those that have more money, knowledge of the system, power, language skills, food, shelter, transportation etc. than you have. What if these 'Haves' were too busy with their daily lives, jobs, kids, soccer, to-do lists, and meetings to even notice a penniless, foreigner who didn't even speak their language?  What if the locals ignored your plight with justifications like "we worked hard to get where we are in life. If we used our resources to help out every unfortunate person we meet, we wouldn't be where we are now".

God is the source of all our resources. We are not in the top 1% because we are smarter, or work harder, or more disciplined, than the other 99% of the world. Let us not be hoarders. Most of our resources are renewable. Our knowledge, power, and skills can be shared without depleting our stock. It takes a bit more creativity to help the 99% rather than passing out gifts to our fellow 1%. The simplest way is to get involved in the life of one individual in a third world country. Share more than money. Or care for the marginalized in your local community. Share your time, your skills, your resources.

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (Luke 12:48 NLT)