Anyone?

Anyone who would spend 1.7 million dollars on a car should have their head examined. I mean, don't you think? I think so. Say nothing of the company that would offer such a thing, but as a person I believe that is an unconscionable choice. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be able to reward ourselves for the hard work we have done. I'm not even saying that we should not have luxurious lifestyles. What I am saying is "there is a fundamental issue at the root of the justification process one must go through to believe there's nothing wrong with such an insane extravagance"

I had a discussion over the weekend that disturbed me greatly. At the center of this discussion was the question above. I must admit, I have been flabbergasted that someone could possibly think like this - at least someone with moral values. Maybe that is really where the issue lies for me. I realize that many, many people ignore those less fortunate. I do it all the time too. However, the reason behind the ignorance in question is the issue, I think.

I know that I ignore the plight of the less fortunate because I can't afford to make a difference, most of the time. I believe that this is the same reason that most of us ignore the less fortunate. We are all so busy attempting to survive that we don't have the resources to attend to our compassion. Not that I see it as a truly valid excuse. I still believe that we should help where we are able when we see the opportunity. Until, I become financially independent this is the way I have to attend to my compassion.

Now, the reason that someone with the financial wherewithal to purchase a car priced at 1.7 million dollars would ignore the plight of those less fortunate is not as clear to me. Well, maybe it is clear to me, however I don't want to believe that it is the case. The only rational that I can come up with is they care more about their luxury than the human condition within this world. Is there another reason? Is it that they are just not aware, or self aware? Is it that they just don't give a damn? Is it that they feel justified in letting some little child in Africa (or America, you can choose your nationality of poverty) die of starvation because they have already donated x amount of funds already? I could keep asking the questions, but I fear that if you don't understand my point yet - you probably won't.

The pain of this for me, more than anything else, is that this horrible point of view came from someone close to me. From someone whom I know, should know better. From someone who is a practicing Christian. I still believe that if God exists that he/she looks at the heart of the individual - the reason or motivation. I can't imagine a scenario where a person's heart could be in the right place when purchasing a 1.7 million dollar car.

I just don't understand how it fits with:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

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