Oh, the Money, Money, Money

Oh, the money—how many complaints, accusations, and criticisms have I heard about those who earn more than others with lower incomes. The primary reasons are almost always envy and frustration. People with low incomes may feel resentment toward those who are wealthier, especially if they believe the wealthy are not using their financial resources to help the community or those in need, or if they perceive them as being overly self-indulgent.

People with modest incomes often hold values that emphasize generosity and solidarity. When they see that those who have more are not donating, not contributing to charity, or not helping others with fewer resources, they may feel their values are being betrayed. Yet, generosity and pity toward those who have less can sometimes reveal not only kindness but also naivety and superficiality. Those who have worked hard to earn their money tend to view the matter differently. To them, hard-earned money requires responsible, carefully calculated spending. It is not something to be thrown away simply because others do not want to work—or cannot work.

Many believe that people with wealth should have a moral responsibility to help those less fortunate. And yes, when the wealthy refuse to get involved in helping others, they are often accused of lacking empathy. It is easy to criticize. But what fault lies with the one who works from morning until night, returning home exhausted, barely able to stand? Those who speak of “moral responsibility” are often not present to witness the pain and suffering of people who strive to build something for themselves—to fulfill their own dreams and desires—rather than subsidizing those who are irresponsible or lazy, who search constantly for shortcuts in life and work.

Some are willing to make sacrifices, work harder, and earn more money. How can it be just for others to claim the rewards of those sacrifices? Yes, some workers are indeed less fortunate because of the inherent unfairness of certain industries. This is true. But much of that unfairness stems from a deeper societal problem: incompetence is tolerated in the workplace. This is a failing of society, not of those who work hard. Our values have decayed, allowing unqualified individuals to hold positions they do not deserve—while those with the skills and drive are overlooked.

The root causes start early—since the first years of school—when children are not evaluated honestly. When teachers do assess them accurately, many parents respond with accusations rather than accepting the truth. How can a society be fair when parents of children with below-average IQs demand they be evaluated as average or above-average? Worse still, they demand opportunities and well-paid jobs meant for those with higher intellectual abilities.

If fairness and equity are truly the goal, they must begin with honesty—from the first grade, even from kindergarten. It is not fair for a student with an average or above-average IQ, capable of learning and applying knowledge, to end up working in a factory while a student with below-average IQ becomes their boss. Society should allocate roles according to skills, qualifications, and cognitive ability—capitalizing on each individual’s strengths—rather than allowing hard-working people to be harassed or bullied by the lazy, the incompetent, or those who are less fortunate. Social welfare is the responsibility of the state and government, not of private individuals who already work and pay taxes.

Helping others financially should be a choice, not an obligation—regardless of one’s financial status. Sometimes, those with low incomes generalize the negative behaviors of certain wealthy individuals, assuming that all rich people are stingy. This can fuel criticism, which might come from a desire to promote a fairer society with more equitable resource distribution. Yet, there is nothing fair about some working hard for more, while others demand money without contributing—claiming it is for the sake of “fairness.”

True fairness means being paid in proportion to the work done. I’m not referring here to influencers who make money because others, often less discerning, choose to follow and support them. If no one paid attention to them—if no one clicked, liked, or watched—they would earn nothing and would have to work like everyone else. Influencers are not to blame for this dynamic. The fault lies with those who put value on trivialities—on idiotic social media tutorials, meaningless trends, or someone’s physical appearance.

Before criticizing someone for how they manage their income, look first at yourself. Ask why you don’t have the same income. Do you truly deserve more? If circumstances limit your capacity to do more, that is life—but it is not the fault of the one who can work more and achieve more. If you feel injustice, blame God, fate, or the universe—not the worker who built their own success. And if you want a fair society, start by asking how fair you have been in judging others—without hiding behind “divine will” or pity.

The truth is uncomfortable: people are not equal. And I couldn’t care less about those who deny this out of envy, pride, fear of truth, or sheer stupidity. Too often, people refuse to acknowledge their own limitations and instead accuse others of “toxicity,” projecting themselves as victims of bullying. People can be assessed in many ways—intelligent or foolish, modest and sensible, or hypocritical—but fair assessment cannot involve divine intervention or sentimental indulgence.

Are you pure and innocent? Have you never discriminated against someone for their religion—still one of the most common forms of prejudice, whether you realize it or not? Have you never favored someone because of their faith? Have you never discriminated on sexual, political, or racial grounds?

If not, then look in the mirror. You might find the real culprit staring back.