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Comment by Delmania | Hacker News Reader

I'm 100% certain he did more good for this world with his wealth than someone like you can even begin to dream of. He helped to build a successful computer company, intelligently navigated the exit to make significant wealth, and then donated 2 billion to various causes.

Tell me, what the hell have you done for anyone?

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That’s not the point. While it’s great to remember the good he did, it’s fair to remember that he was also a bit of a patent troll. That’s all.

He's not a saint, I don't think anyone would claim that. My point was that after he amassed all that wealth, he did a lot of good with it. He's more proof that you can make a lot of money and help people.

Paul Allen was a good man but...

"I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"

Some think wealthy people should be held to a higher moral standard for a number of reasons

I understand what you are saying, but I think that people unfamiliar with Christian theology might misunderstand you. It's worth noting that the disciples responded to that with astonishment: "Who then can be saved?" -- even though none of them were rich! Crucially, Christ's response is that with God, _all things_ are possible.

Ultimately, the standard for the Christian is to become like Christ. To walk the path of the cross means to cover and take upon the sins of others, beholding all as worthy of the Kingdom and only oneself as deserving of Hell. This is what Christ did upon the cross for us, and it is what Christians are called to do for all. See the writings of St. Silouan the Athonite for more on this.

It's a bit more than that. That particular passage was also about eliminating anything that got in the way of following god. I believe Jesus also said if your hand causes you to steal, cut it off. You could also argue that this is a passage about trust as getting rid of everything to follow a god requires a lot of faith that a god will survive.

For those of us who are atheists, the messages would be to not place things above people and to take risks in aiding others. Usually the things we fear never materialize.

He donated 2 billion dollars of his wealth to advancement of science, technology, education, wildlife conservation, the arts, and community service. What standard are we talking about?

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