Thoughts on philanthropy

In response to Bill Gates’ recent comments on forcing higher taxes on the wealthy, I believe a different approach is in order.  I know of very few who have been more philanthropic than the Gates Foundation. No one can accuse Gates of being stingy. But his latest comments on making higher taxes for the wealthy is wrong headed.  Philanthropy is a good thing, but one cannot be forced to be philanthropic. Forced philanthropy is nothing less than higher taxes, i.e., taxes. Being forced to do anything is nothing to be proud of.

I would like to be able to say that the problems in the world, related to poverty and suffering could easily be addressed, in light of the extreme wealth of a fairly large number of people.  But yet, here we are, a fairly large number of extremely wealthy people and the extreme poverty, suffering and starvation of so many people still exists. What is the answer?

Somehow some people seem to have the idea that if someone is extremely wealthy, they ought to pay more taxes so as to help offset the imbalance of need versus excess.  But this is really just another way of promoting communism. The redistribution of wealth is a communist idea, that has failed, over and over again. The question ought to be, “Why should someone, who through a variety of means, has extreme wealth, be forced to give that money away?”  Now it very well could be that someone with extreme wealth should be philanthropic (I believe there is substantial biblical support for such an idea), but the government under which that person lives should NOT take their money by force. Stealing is stealing, even when it has a politically correct label.

But ultimately the problem is corruption.  It can practically be said that those with extreme wealth and extreme power take advantage of these tools and do not do what they ought.  At the same time, those of us with a moderate income, or even borderly poverty ought to be doing what we can as well. Generosity is not required only of the wealthy.  Everyone struggles with selfishness, to some degree. Apparently it is easier to see in the wealthy. Corruption in politics, too, brings about suffering for the poor and weak.  So the answer is not further corruption/abuse at the hands of government (i.e., higher taxes for some).

It ought to be the case that all of us have compassion on those in need and address those needs with their money and power.  Jesus told us that we would always have the poor with us, but that does not mean that we do nothing about it. As St John Chrysostom said, “if you have two coats, one you have stolen from your brother who has none.” In other words, we should never relish our excess at the expense of someone else’s suffering or want.

The issue is obviously an extremely complex one, that will not be answered in a simplistic manner.  Forcing higher taxes is simply further corruption and abuse. Simply throwing more money out will not fix the problem either, as the corruption that currently exists will un-do or redirect that money to wrong places.