Why do rich people give their money away?

Why do rich people give their money away? Is it because Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor …”? It seems to be happening a lot lately. Is Jesus the reason? Or is there something else behind it?

Yes – Jesus did say that.

And that’s what the Giving Pledge folks joining Bill & Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet are doing.

But isn’t there more to being perfect than just giving lots of money to the poor?

In case you haven’t heard of the Giving Pledge – there’s a shot of their homepage below.

I think this home page tells a lot.

I wrote the initial version of this back when the Giving Pledge was first announced. The site has changed over time.

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And as much as rich / smart people might say they can build a better world, there’s a simple reality. They cannot. They are very much the reason this world is what it is. The reason for the haves and the have-nots. The discrepancy between the rich and the poor. And the knowledge gap between the “smart” and the apparently, according to them, something other than “smart”.

When Jesus came to earth, the poor and the underprivileged were glad to see Him. They knew the eternal life He promised was from God. And that it was infinitely better than anything here in this life. But now, the rich / intelligent people tell us that God doesn’t exist. Or if He does, He doesn’t really have a place in our lives.

That’s so sad. It makes for a hard life here and now. And takes away the possibility of a better life later. And so often, just to allow them to feel better about themselves.