Homeless Vs. Millionaire
63Homeless Man Vs. Millionaire
Out of the Millionaire and the Homeless person, whom is the better person? What percentage of our US society would pick the homeless person without knowing any facts about the 2? What percentage would pick the millionaire as the better person knowing no other facts about either of 2 people. I would estimate that up to 98 percent of us would pick the millionaire as the better person knowing no other facts of the 2.
Looking at the homeless man on the corner, how many of our first thoughts are "Bum, He needs to get a job"? How many of us God fearing citizens pass judgment without giving the homeless man the benefit of the doubt? How many of us wonder the root of the mans homelessness? Could the homeless man be mentally retarded? Could the homeless man be a handicapped veteran? This man could have formerly protected your life and you cannot simply give time to imagine possibilities behind him living on the street. Could the homeless man have lost his wife and children to a crime? How about a homeless woman that was raped all of her life?
I would say the majority of our society would pass judgement without thinking about any of these possibilities. Of the homeless man, most would assume: He's a lazy alcoholic, He's a chronic drug user, He's a criminal, He should be cleaned off the streets. I would like to reference the teenagers a while back in the news that made and video taped random acts on the homeless.
On a theoritical scale, Imagine your encounter of the homeless man is a test to God to see if you judge the person. Would you pass the test? It is sad to say, most of us would fail. Having compassion is not handing over your wallet. Compassion in this instance with the homeless man is simply not passing judgment.
Lets talk about the millionaire. Lets make him a self-made bilionaire instead. What would you immediatly think of the billionaire? "Wow, he must be a genius", "I wish I was like him and had the things he has." "What a great life he must have". How many of us base our judgements on the materialistic such as money? Why does it take money to be heard? Now, lets say this billionaires name is Bernard Madoff.
The point I'm trying to make is, It is in no ones place to judge. Judgement is our makers place. In both cases of the billionaire and the homeless, recognize no one person is more important than the other. All are equal. How many of us are just a few paychecks from losing valuable possessions? You could literally be hit and killed driving down the road tomorrow. Would you be content with the time you had and what you made of your time alive? There is a reason we are the superior life on the planet "our minds". What a waste it would be if we continue not to use them.
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Comments
Hello there Genee, Thank You for reading. I agree with the rich who have gotten wealthy the legitimate way without ruining others lives.
I believe part of this is "our" fault as a society. If we didn't base life on money, the importance of money would never corrupt the weak.
You may be a tough fighter/Marine, but you have a tender heart. Your words are so true - and even tho we cannot always 'open our wallet' our hearts and sometimes our money should help the homeless. I wish there were more realistic laws to stop violence and abuse in many areas, but then I don't see 'government' being properly able to do that...it does have to start from an individual basis.
I believe in our society, it is "cool" to follow the majority. If the majority of someones friends say something degrading about someone else, this breeds. Maybe if we didn't give up on each other so easily, we wouldn't give up on ourselves so easily.
I appreciate you reading and commenting.
I enjoy reading your hub marine ! I would take my last dollar and feed a homeless person, before i would break bread with someone who think money give them the right to judges.
Excellent words chicago. I wish more of our society would recognize judgement and stop worshiping the money mentality.
Thank You for reading and commenting.
All society is worried about is the money, what happened to happiness that's is what i want to know? it is kinda crazy that a piece of paper has that much control!
Crazy also that "we" can allow that piece of paper take control. Yet, if you don't try to make as much money as possible, life is that much more complicated in most situations. It's almost a no win.
you are right about that! i just want comfort and happiness
Hello chicago, Is it possible to live in our society while being comfortable and happy without money?
Great Hub.
I agree about not being judgmental, or at least recognising that you have to suspend judgemment. But you may still have to make a provisional judgement.
When I lived and worked in Antwerp, Belgium, Moroccans had a bad name and I knew enough people had been attacked by young Moroccans to make me cautious. Was hiding my wallet and phone when I saw a Moroccan judgmental or prudent. By the way initially my Landlord there was a Moroccan and a very nice guy.
"Was hiding my wallet and phone when I saw a Moroccan judgmental or prudent".
Excellent question. I think there can be a fine line between being preventive and passing judgement. I think just because you are preventive doesn't mean you "must pass judgement".
While knowing the homeless have higher drug use, crime than those of us in functioning society, this does not mean all are criminals or do drugs.
I believe there is a huge difference between "watching your back" and telling a friend to "look at the sorry drug using bum".
Thank You for reading and commenting Alex.
Great post!
Hello Maggie, Thank You for reading/commenting.
I have always felt that many of the homeless are much happier than the affluent. Perhaps living in the moment is really living... Good article.
Hello aikid, Thank You for reading / commenting.
"Perhaps living in the moment is really living"
Possibly. I don't know if I would forfeit my air conditioning, heat, bed to find out. However, as a homeless person, you would have a priceless view of the real society in which we live. Can you imagine the nasty looks and judgements the homeless receieve everyday? I don't know if I would call many homeless people happy, maybe content. Maybe some of the homeless see the true meaning of life instead of society's meaning.
This is very moving. I always thought of the possibility of living the same way as the homeless does. I mean, of course the future of one depends on one, but what if you were initially born under a homeless family, that will leave you with no choice for the meantime and it will be too much work to be out of that situation.
You are right when you say that it is no ones place to judge. Who are we to judge them anyway!?!
Hello Charia, Thank You for reading.
Some of us forget that no one is superior to the other.
These are Real social issues.
"There's just certain issues in life,
That don't go away just because your Bank
account gets Bigger."
"one of the biggest myths is that its easy
once you start making money.
Money only Takes care of some of the things."
Interesting hub,Excellent Question.
Thank You!
Hello websclubs, Thank You for reading/comments. Nice points. Thanks.
I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position. That video is most disturbing. They learn violence much too early these days.
Thank You for reading and commenting ralwus.
Gotta appreciate the power of money. lol What other material has so much power?
I think violence is mostly drivin by money.
In my time here, I have learned that you don't matter to society if you don't have money.
I work with the homeless quite often and appreciate your hub immensely. Thank you for sharing and once again bringing to light the "judgment" factor.
Thank You Rope!. No Problem, Thank You for the work you do.
JamaGenee says:
8 months ago
Good points! After the AIG fiasco, I'd have to say billionaires are the real bums, because most likely they didn't acquire those pots of money honestly. But then, that's judging, right? Oops.