MikeUpton

the answer in my case has laid in faith and humility. these were two areas I needed to work on in order to not be fed up with the difficulties of my life. when you believe in god, have a knowledge of his goodness and in his attributes, and you believe he is those things, and when you believe that all he does is for your benefit. and when you can say thank you to God, even in your difficulty, (I even began to feel as Paul, and thanked him for my difficulties, because I know that God is wise above all and does all things for my benefit.) when you can say thanks for all you have in your life, and especially when you trust in God so much that you are willing to do anything he asks, this is the faith and humility he seeks, and your burdens will be lifted, and you will find great joy in life.

Have any of you ever thought of what it might be like, if say 20 or so odd years down the road, say for example, your future daughter was reading the things you wrote and thinking about you? To all of my future family who may read my posts at this later date, whenever it may be, i love you!

Stuff like this is very appropriate. :) It will happen soon. Maybe not in 2012, and definitely not in the way or for the reasons they give, but it is definitely time to really put one's focus on the Lord's kingdom. I look forward to it. :)

I am exactly who I say I am.

Meaning that they are consistently bad?

I apologize for my assumption. The answer is not to tear down, but to build. There are ways of doing this which simply require ingenuity for recognizing opportunity in its many forms, seeing wealth not in limited terms in the hands of the few, but in terms of abundance (you just need to learn how to work the system to make it work for you in your own way). Its always wise to lean on the Lord for help in these matters, and he can help you see opportunity when it comes. It helps if you're always looking. And it may well take faith like unto Nephi. Why not take this matter to the Lord, pray and ask his opinion? Perhaps he will show you. My personal belief is that if you're really upset by "The Man," then become "The Man". Then if you're still upset, you can kick him in the pants by providing good competition.

Who here likes a certain political candidate who's name I probably shouldn't mention, (but heck he's not a candidate anymore, so I don't know how this could be said to conflict with the rule) Mitt Romney. I sure like him :) Mitt Romney's New $12 Million California House that is true, but he hasn't sold that 150 million dollar house yet to move to suburbia . his foundation is worth 30 billion. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

This is a correct principle, one that God would have us develop in ourselves. We first seek for wisdom, we first seek the Kingdom of God, then we find riches if we seek them, especially when it is to bless the sick and afflicted. Other requirements to riches may come into play, especially where it comes to the issue of your willingness to drop everything and do as the Lord asks, and not lift yourself up unto pride. One must admit that it is a far easier principle to apply with great outward success in America, it would be more difficult in the Phillipines due to the nature of the economy. But remember that the principle remains the same, and still applies in the Phillipines as well as it does in the US (though your struggle may be a lot more difficult.) I did not intend to imply in my previous comment that your situation is helpless.

Your reply is probably accurate in the Phillipines. I suppose we have a different culture, government, etc here in the United States, and so Americans most often tend to think along those terms. edit: (american terms focusing on personal power.)

Maybe we ought to close the thread, I didn't think of all the people that might read it and hurt. Rico was right about that.

dude it was a joke. Its just a saying I use, it means nothing. I've never had anyone take offense to it before. Why are you? I know what its like to suffer, but I don't persecute the rich because of their riches. When I see someone who drives a beautiful car or lives in a beautiful home I am happy for them. It makes me smile. I don't instead feel entitled to their riches. I know that you have a problem with diabetes, were I wealthy I would do my best to help you. But I can't right now. Believe me, it breaks my heart. Look me up in a couple years. I, like you right now, live on next to nothing. But it wont be for long. inbox me and I can give you my email. keep in touch if you want. Im going to bed now.

I am not wealthy. I simply do not judge the rich with the harshness others do, but I have charity for my brother who does well, and i am very happy when he succeeds. I love to see people doing well, and I'm not ashamed of that. I'm going to lose the blessing for this, (I ought to do my alms in secret) however this is not to brag, but to make my point: I've given friends in the phillipines and vietnam the money from my own pocket until it hurt. I gave a starving girl in Vietnam (i know her very well, it was not a scam) $700 when i had next to nothing except that amount, but i knew i could still eat and have a place to live. That is how I know how much it takes to live in Vietnam, because she was only making 30 bucks a month and she would get very upset when I talked about food. So I finally got her to explain to me. If the time comes that I am that superwealthy, I will most likely drive that 400k rolls and live in a 30 million dollar mansion AND give most of my money to the poor. But if I was anywhere near to it being a burden on me being able to help, I would not buy those things. I know the difference between like and appreciation, and lust.

You're taking things to an unnecessary extreme. Show me where a GA says the super wealthy need to donate their entire livelihood until they're living as a middle class American, and I'll give you a nice relatively shiny quarter. Until then, I'm sticking with my understanding. The answer to your question, is, if I knew a brother that needed the money more than I did, yes, at this income I make, I would forgo the new car. Your assumptions are not helping your point. LDS.org - Ensign Article - “Beware Lest Thou Forget the Lordâ€

Then do not go into debt over one. Being in debt, or hurting one's ability to help was never my point in using the car as an example. I agree, its an extra in almost all cases. So is a cd player. See my above post at the top of this page.

those 150 people could be working and eating, and helping their family, boy we oughtta be ashamed we don't live like the people in Vietnam do, on 50 dollars a month. Like I said, middle class Americans saying everyone ought to live as they do (especially the filthy sinful rich) Edit: sorry if i seem brash.