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Why the World Benefits from Billionaires
It was supposed to be a sermon warning against greed, but it was more of an attack on billionaires.
On a recent Sunday, the preacher at the church we attend used Luke 12:13–21 as the basis for his message. But in his critique of people who accumulate vast wealth, he didn’t seem to understand that a billionaire doesn’t have a billion dollars in cash in the bank and he totally overlooked the good those phenomenally successful entrepreneurs do.
Billionaires are good for the world.
They build businesses that create jobs, develop innovative products and technological advancements, and support local economies. They contribute to philanthropic and social initiatives. And they have the money and influence to get things accomplished.
Consider Jeff Bezos.
I don’t like his politics, but his vision created Amazon, which employs approximately 1.5 million people worldwide (about 1.1 million in the U.S.). Beyond those direct jobs, Amazon has a network of suppliers that create additional opportunities for individuals and small businesses. Amazon has transformed logistics and delivery systems. And one of the things about Amazon I especially appreciate is that the company’s KDP platform…
