Are you happy being middle class?

[Carlan]

No, actually, it’s been found that many of them are trust fund babies, screaming about the evil of corporations as they tap away at their iPads and iPhones. Vandalizing Starbucks and Whole Foods really does the country a lot of good too. They all need a good swift kick in the behind, IMO.

Sorry to be off topic, but really Juliane,is it that difficult for you to give the benefit of doubt?
The persons with all the electronic gadgets are more than likely there to support those with honest and legitimate reasons for their concerns. Common sense would say so.
Goodness, the unemployment is at 9% with the richest corps in the world hording wealth and providing countries other than their own with manufacturing, while reaping in the cheap dollars. For What??? Love of profit and money? I cannot see where their concern is, in any way, for the common good of our own. Peace, Carlan

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Sorry to be off topic, but really Juliane,is it that difficult for you to give the benefit of doubt?
The persons with all the electronic gadgets are more than likely there to support those with honest and legitimate reasons for their concerns. Common sense would say so.
Goodness, the unemployment is at 9% with the richest corps in the world hording wealth and providing countries other than their own with manufacturing, while reaping in the cheap dollars. For What??? Love of profit and money? I cannot see where their concern is, in any way, for the common good of our own. Peace, Carlan

I do not give the benefit of the doubt to people who are violent, who vandalize stores, who destroy others’ property, who rape and steal, who wear masks in public while being very anarchistic, afraid to show their faces. I do not give the benefit of the doubt to people who caused their own misery by voting for a man who is doing his level best to grind the economy into the dust. They should be protesting at the White House and Congress, that’s who caused this unemployment. Companies are “hoarding” wealth? Companies exist to make a profit, and there is nothing wrong with that, unless you’re a communist. When the people who own companies see nothing but tax increases and a huge problematic government seizure of 1/6th of our economy just over the horizon, why would they invest? People aren’t stupid, and they aren’t going to just give their hard-earned profit away.

I cannot see where these protester’s concern is, in any way, for the common good of our own. How does it benefit the common good to destroy others’ property and attack the police? They are nothing but criminals and should be jailed ASAP. Denver got rid of their occupy garbage early one crisp morning - the other cities should take heed and do the same.

 

[chevalier]

I don’t consider myself any class and am happy with that.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I don’t consider myself any class and am happy with that.

I think you have a LOT of class!!!

 

[chevalier]

I think you have a LOT of class!!!

:tiphat: Thankee.

 

[Carlan]

I do not give the benefit of the doubt to people who are violent, who vandalize stores, who destroy others’ property, who rape and steal, who wear masks in public while being very anarchistic, afraid to show their faces. I do not give the benefit of the doubt to people who caused their own misery by voting for a man who is doing his level best to grind the economy into the dust. They should be protesting at the White House and Congress, that’s who caused this unemployment. Companies are “hoarding” wealth? Companies exist to make a profit, and there is nothing wrong with that, unless you’re a communist. When the people who own companies see nothing but tax increases and a huge problematic government seizure of 1/6th of our economy just over the horizon, why would they invest? People aren’t stupid, and they aren’t going to just give their hard-earned profit away.

I cannot see where these protester’s concern is, in any way, for the common good of our own. How does it benefit the common good to destroy others’ property and attack the police? They are nothing but criminals and should be jailed ASAP. Denver got rid of their occupy garbage early one crisp morning - the other cities should take heed and do the same.

My goodness, that was quiet a rant…do hope you feel better! Peace, Carlan

 

[PaulinVA]

When I was out of work eight years ago, people would reassure me that I would find a job, since “God doesn’t want you to be out of work and poor”. I would ask, “If God doesn’t like the poor, why did he make so many of them”?

I have been incredibly lucky/blessed my whole life. The company I work for is tanking right now, and I am pondering my six figure salary and middle class life. I really like it, but I think I could give it up if I had to. I sometimes think it’s a hindrance to my spiritual well being.

 

[karoleck]

When I was out of work eight years ago, people would reassure me that I would find a job, since “God doesn’t want you to be out of work and poor”. I would ask, “If God doesn’t like the poor, why did he make so many of them”?

I have been incredibly lucky/blessed my whole life. The company I work for is tanking right now, and I am pondering my six figure salary and middle class life. I really like it, but I think I could give it up if I had to. I sometimes think it’s a hindrance to my spiritual well being.

I suppose there is an element of truth about a comfortable lifestyle being “a hindrance to my spiritual well being”.Then again a poor person could also think that their poverty of material goods has the same effect! The reason being is they might think “if I did not have to work those long hours just to put bread on the table,I would have had more time to devote to my spiritual life”

God does not make the poor–poor;a lot of times they are poor , firstly because the wealthy do not share the goods with them and indeed often create their wealth on the backs of the poor.

Jesus has given us an answer to the above paradoxical question in The Beatitudes “Blessed are the poor in spirit,the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”

St.Louis The King of France was more than “middle class” he had at his disposal at that time a whole kingdom;yet this “upper class person’s”(I hate these comparisons that can be a cause of division between God’s children!) soul was poor in spirit

In the end,St.Paul gives us a clue "Remember your last end(death,judgement,Heaven or Hell) and you will not sin.Or as Mark Twain puts it “Each person is born to one possession which outvalues all the others–his last breath.”

(On a tombstone)

Take heed,dear friend,in passing by,
As you are now,so once was I;
As I am now,you soon will be,
Prepare for death and follow me.

May all the holy souls in purgatory rest in peace,especially those who have no one praying or offering sacrifices on their behalf.Amen

 

[PaulinVA]

I suppose there is an element of truth about a comfortable lifestyle being “a hindrance to my spiritual well being”.Then again a poor person could also think that their poverty of material goods has the same effect! The reason being is they might think “if I did not have to work those long hours just to put bread on the table,I would have had more time to devote to my spiritual life”

True, but when you do not have a lot of “things” to be attached to, it is much easier to live the gospel. Just my opinion.

God does not make the poor–poor;a lot of times they are poor , firstly because the wealthy do not share the goods with them and indeed often create their wealth on the backs of the poor.

I did not mean for this to be a political discussion.

Jesus has given us an answer to the above paradoxical question in The Beatitudes “Blessed are the poor in spirit,the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”

It is much easier to be humble if you have not had a bunch of high-profile monetary successes that you give yourself credit for. The rich man has a hard time getting into heaven because he might feel that he has done everything for himself.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

It is much easier to be humble if you have not had a bunch of high-profile monetary successes that you give yourself credit for. The rich man has a hard time getting into heaven because he might feel that he has done everything for himself.

Many people who are wealthy give God the credit for that wealth - they know who creates everything and who the TRUE source of wealth is. (And “wealth” does not mean money to these people.)

People can be any wealth level and still believe they are getting there under their own power only. It has to do with belief in God’s ultimate power in our lives. Conversely, people who are poor can also blame God for their condition, instead of looking to what God tells us to do, which is look after ourselves and our households, and give to others.

 

[manualman]

I think it’s human nature to take for granted what you DO have and to wish you had “just a little more.” The problem is that oftentimes, there is no end to the process and pretty soon you’re Donald Trump (or more likely just frustrated and crabby).

I learned this lesson a couple years ago when the housing industry collapsed and my posh company car Cadillac CTS went poof. Now I’m in a 1995 Saturn SL base model that I rescued from the crusher and you know what? It ain’t really all that different. Much of ultra luxury vs middle class is this way, IMO. Once you are able to get where you want to go reliably and in air conditioned comfort, there is a VERY limited extra benefit you get from paying another $50,000 for your car. Did I enjoy the CTS? Sure. But knowing what I do now, I’d never pay my own money for one - even if I have it to blow. (And that’s not slamming Caddy, I’ve been in my share of Benz, BMWs and Lexi)

 

[Em_in_FL]

Honestly - I’d LOVE to have more in order to give more.
I’d of course like things to be a little “nicer” for us (not stressing over a new roof or medical costs would be my definition of “nice” - I’m not talking about luxuries - I’m okay with frugality)…

I’ve recently taken on the mentality that coveting is really useless. All this that we have… the money we earn, the skills we have to the do the jobs we are blessed to have, the fact that we have transportation and clothing to allow us to function in society… it’s ALL from GOD. It doesn’t belong to ME or come from ME… it COMES from GOD in the first place. I haven’t “earned” it… it’s been “given” to me… and it’s not mine to hoard.

 

[karoleck]

Honestly - I’d LOVE to have more in order to give more.
I’d of course like things to be a little “nicer” for us (not stressing over a new roof or medical costs would be my definition of “nice” - I’m not talking about luxuries - I’m okay with frugality)…

I’ve recently taken on the mentality that coveting is really useless. All this that we have… the money we earn, the skills we have to the do the jobs we are blessed to have, the fact that we have transportation and clothing to allow us to function in society… it’s ALL from GOD. It doesn’t belong to ME or come from ME… it COMES from GOD in the first place. I haven’t “earned” it… it’s been “given” to me… and it’s not mine to hoard.

:thumbsup:Your 'greatest wealth is your family–all the rest is just a means to an end.

I suppose the question could be asked–what other alternative is there to living a middle class(b) lifestyle?

Alternative (a) Both husband and wife work 24/7(two cats, two dogs and no kids),save every cent and give away zilch!–The result of this lifestyle would be moving “up” in the world,joining the “Upper Class”–" the price—
What does it gain to own the whole world and loose one’s soul."

Alternative (c)Sell up and buy a modest home on a 10-20acre property in some out rural property.Start a "hobby farm"and grow most of one’s food,home schooling the kids and having the mother full time at home, whilst the husband gets what ever work is available.The price----no city “comforts” & medical supports or education or job opportunities when the children start to flow the coup.
“that person sold everything, to gain a pearl of great price.”

Or (b) we remain "middle class’ and grow happily where we have been planted ,believing in God’s providential care He has placed me in this situation, as a means to grow in grace,in other words Gods’Will.St.Paul told us that he was indifferent to wealth or poverty,freedom or imprisonment ;as he saw that neither separated him from the love of Christ.