99 Percent and 1 Percent Equal Chaos

The war of words and policies goes on between those defending the richest 1 percent and those exposing the plight of the 99 percent. Words like hatred, jealousy and greed are thrown back and forth at whim. Could the Bible, of all places, provide some insight in this area?

The issue of income disparity between the richest of the rich and the rest of us has come to a boiling point in the last year. Although the Occupy Wall Street movement has faded, the discussion continues.

The 99 percent versus the 1 percent in the media

On the side of the 99 percent, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has reported that average CEO pay at several companies is now 380 times that of average Americans. In other words, some CEOs made $12.9 million a year while the pay of a typical worker was $34,053. (More statistics highlighting income disparity are on the AFL-CIO website.)

On the side of the 1 percent, Nina Easton of Fortune magazine bemoans the constant attacks on the 1 percent in a recent opinion piece. She illustrates that there are many factors that contribute to income disparity, including whether there are two incomes in the family, whether people have highly marketable and in-demand skills, and whether they continue their education past high school.

She concludes, “It’s entertaining to wail about fat cats and the greedy rich. But if we’re serious about addressing widening inequality, we should figure out what the 1% is doing right—and apply some of those ideas to closing the gap.”

Typical views

Those bravely taking up the flag of the gallant, abused 99 percent generally support these views:

1. The 1 percent cheats and is greedy and immoral.
2. The 1 percent uses the 99 percent to get more money, and it’s the 1 percent’s fault others don’t have more.

Those eagerly defending the plight of mistreated millionaires generally support these views:

1. The 99 percent is jealous, is too lazy and unmotivated to attain more wealth, and is immoral.
2. Members of the 99 percent don’t know how much they are benefitting from the rich and should make better choices.

The 99 percent and the 1 percent from the Bible’s perspective

Actually, the Bible presents some challenging teachings regarding wealth for members of both groups, especially if they claim to be Christian.

It is interesting to ponder that if these biblical attitudes were in full force today, there might not be such a rift and hatred between the rich and poor.

To the 99 percent

As for the 99 percent, notice Philippians 4:11-12: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians should not let the wealth of others affect their state of contentment. Being content both while prospering and while suffering need requires an attitude of gratitude toward God that seems to be sorely lacking today.

Also look in Matthew 6:32-34: “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Following God’s way and putting it as the priority in our lives may not bring vast human riches, but it will bring peace of mind and the promise of something greater than money—the Kingdom of God. (To learn more about this, see The Mystery of the Kingdom booklet.)

To the 1 percent

As for the 1 percent, notice 1 Timothy 6:8-10: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

The warning continues in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Avoid the traps

In summary, the Bible makes it clear that Christians on either side of the spectrum are not to fall into the traps of coveting (jealousy), greed (seeking massive amounts of wealth for selfish purposes) and lack of contentment with the gifts of God.

One of those gifts is the opportunity to be a part of His coming Kingdom—a priceless gift beyond what the 99 percent or the 1 percent can even imagine!

Read more about it in The Mystery of the Kingdom booklet.

Eddie Foster, a school speech-language pathologist, and his wife are members in the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.

For more about the conflict between the 1 percent and the 99 percent and other economic issues, see:

• Occupy Wall Street? What’s the Real Solution?
• Why All the Riots in the Streets?
• The Money Mess
• Economic Stability Is Coming!