Oxymoron Time: Why Aren't Rich People More Generous?  

I believe some rich people don't like to be giving because they are cheap skates and like to be selfish! I also think some rich people are like that because they didn't struggle to get to where they are! They were born into it! They don't know what it was like to have no money and work their way to the top like some have! This is what I think!

I agree but they figure that the money they have is there's and why should they use it for anything? They are selfish, if only they would have thought they could have loaned the company the money with stupilations like the government was doing with our money that they used. I think they also figure they earned that money and they can do as they wish with it, which is to hold on tight unless it's something that they want to buy with it.
If only they would have known that they would continue getting money if only they had used some of it to loan the company as they would also still be getting paid, twice actually...their salary and interest on the loan.

I guess in defence of big companies they have to answer to shareholders and such, but I have never understood rich people who keep going on doing everything to rake in more, we can only use so much for ourselves and we can't take it with us so why do they put themselves through all the stress of earning and earning. I am afraid I will never be rich, I only live on a small income myself but I love to give pressies and share what i can, there is no better feeling than sharing. Sometimes I wish we had useby dates tattooed on us so I could give everything I own to people I care about before I go, no I will never be rich....giving is wonderful....

I look at the local millionaire here in Austin, the Dells. They have given loads of money to charities. And as much trouble as Dell computers is in, they still have helped many people around Austin. Dell Children's Hospital and Dell Jewish Community Center as just 2 of them.

Unfortunately, the more money they have, the more homes they purchase, the more toys they buy, and the more luxuries they attain. Therefore, they need their money to support all of these things.

If you ask them why they aren't generous enough, they would most likely say that they do give to numerous charities, but don't go bragging about them. I think this is an easy way out of having to give an answer on why they just can't help the simple folks they come in contact with everyday. Certainly the Charities need rich folks to give...Cancer funds, etc, however, are they willing to help the neighbor down the street who is in desperate need of help, or a homeless guy who is obviously in need of a hand. Certainly there is way for them to help those in their area without having their money go to a charity organization all the time.

I think most of them are too wrapped in their own lives and don't give a crap about the less fortunate. I always thought that if I ever became rich, I'd be sure to remember the needy people because I know what its like not to have much. I'd try to be generous with what I had. Like you said, you can't take it with you why not spread it around.

It might seem like a good thing but it is akin to giving food to the people on the streets. They get fed not because they worked for it but because they were able to blackmail some people emotionally. It is a drop in the bucket of suffering and nothing much is really being accomplished. Cheers!!

There are also few among them who are generous and kindhearted but we can expect more generosity from those middle income people who are satisfied of getting theit needs and believed they can help others with what exceeded to them. Other rich people thought once they help the poor, they would be abusive and won't care to earn a living anymore but would just depend on them. So they won't try helping. If you notice there are rich personalities who even appeal to public for help to a certain cause or individual instead of helping by themselves, when come to think of it, they can afford to. Sometimes however when a much publicized case is in need of help other rich people are more likely to help, why to gain publicity. No offense however to some who's generosity really are in their hearts already. Those who put into life, the words of God, to love their neighbors.

I agree that MANY people in a position of wealth (which we must remember is also subjective and relative) DO give to charities and friends/family.

What I often see in those who are NOT generous is a basic belief system that is tied very strongly to the "American Dream" and capitalism as a (nearly religious) mentality:

These people believe their hard work and willpower provided them with their wealth and similar results are available for anyone who is willing to work hard enough. Therefore they would be doing a disservice to others by giving their money away. They would see that as encouraging the receipients to fail. It is the same mindset that despises government public assistance programs.

To them, you see, it is all very logical because they are approaching it from a different "religious" starting point and set of rules. There is no "what you give out comes back to you multiplied" in their philososphy.

well it all depends on whether they are the noueau riche or not. the newly rich, by this i mean those who did not come from money and those who were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth, they have known what it is like not to have money and they do not ever want to be without it, so they hoard it. in some cases they contribute the minimum amount possible to make it look like they care and are not selfish, basically for PR purposes. then there is the old rich who also have forebearers who worked hard to get them their station in life some of these are very greedy and their money means a lot to them because it comes with a status and they do not want to lose that, and they try to keep up with the jones' and if possible accumulate more wealth than them. and they want everyone else to work hard for their money. this is all speculation on my part of course.