We have looked at paradigms before. These are frames of reference or worldviews. They are the foundational beliefs that are accepted as true and out of which all other analytical thoughts grow. They are the established hypotheses; the things we consider obvious or "proven science."
[Incidentally, science is never “proven.” Those who believe this, and many apparently do, are actually practicing the religion of Scientism. This is the belief that science has all the answers, which is silly, because the purpose of science is to investigate questions as they arise that are able to be investigated scientifically, meaning through experimentation. Many questions are outside the limited realm of science.]
Here’s the problem. If we choose to look at life from a weak paradigm, say economics, business, politics, sociology, or psychology, some things will seem clear, but other things will remain confusing or murky. It is only when we find the best, deepest, most stable paradigm upon which to investigate everything in all the areas mentioned above and more, will things begin to make more sense.
Let me cut to the chase and say that I believe everything boils down to a conflict between a biblical world view and a material world view.
The biblical world view holds that mankind is of higher value compared with material things in this world. This view holds that human life is more precious than diamonds, rubies, and gold, regardless the amount. The reason for this position has to do with who mankind belongs to and how this one assesses their value. If you believe in a higher power of any sort, you are acknowledging the position that there is an authority higher than the highest human. This is the fundamental principle upon which the United States was formed and theoretically operates. We have certain inalienable, unalterable rights. The principle came to America before the reality of the situation and that is why we had a civil war. It is because, under God, men should not be slaves to other men. One other thought about the value of human life. If life is brief and then disappears, then I understand the argument that there isn’t much additional value over anything else. However, if there is more beyond this life, and God says there is, and He values our lives accordingly, then everything else in the world that is slowly or quickly deteriorating is of less value.
The material world view has a different opinion. It is essentially a survival-of-the-fittest mentality. Many species of animals fight for the right to reproduce the species and man is just another animal. So now imagine that you are at the top of the world’s food chain. No laws hold you to account. You can do anything you want and abuse anyone or everyone you choose. Many people believe the world revolves around them, but they know deep down this is not true. This, however, is not true about the super-rich. They have proven to themselves that the Universe bends to their will. They believe they are very special.
For example, if there is a war, this is not of concern to the super-rich. For one thing they can make sure they are comfortably away from the area of conflict. Also, no matter who wins or loses, they will profit. They have ways to back both sides.
Another helpful point. The amount of money these individuals have is not relevant. What is important is the amount of power they wield. This means that leaders of all large nations qualify as super-rich, assuming they have not been placed into power by others and are still at risk of being taken down. Those who operate behind the monetary systems that keep currencies viable and goods moving internationally are in the strongest positions to the point that even if countries collapse, they will still make money.
So how people think when they are not constrained by the limitations the vast majority of the world has to deal with? What moves them to act or floats their super yachts?
I believe the super-rich have two very basic objectives or needs.
First is personal preservation. They will do whatever it takes to retain their power. Do they have families? Sure. This is part of their protection. They rely on teamwork just like others do. Are their family relationships healthy? I doubt it. They, themselves, thinking about the world in the way they likely do, is not healthy. As Lord Acton wrote, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Their second objective is to find a way to live and not die. They seek eternal life. Not the eternal life promised to those who trust in God because God represents a foolish choice requiring, first and foremost, submission to a higher authority, something their life choices have opposed all along and would result in an admission of weakness they cannot accept.
So, what are ways that someone with self-perceived unlimited power think might solve their mortality problem? It is quite simple. It is the pursuit through technology to overcome death by overcoming the weakness of the human organism through genetic manipulation and fusing with artificial intelligence. This is a move toward what is currently called Transhumanism or Human-2.0.
Everything that will shift the planet’s resources toward this pursuit for these individuals is fair game, whatever means possible. And obviously they have deadlines to achieving these objectives before they personally die.
Never before in history has this appeared to them technologically as an actual possibility until now.
And what information available to mankind best describes this conflict between God and these anti-god characters? The Bible. Not understanding the prophetic information in this particular collection of unified writings compiled over thousands of years of time and established thousands of years ago addresses these end-time events.
Is all of it clear? No. But the general gist of good versus evil is. And what is most clear both historically and currently is that God wins in the end. That’s the good news and the reason I’m so grateful not to have been born into or fought my way into becoming someone who by this world’s standards is super rich.
This brief YouTube presentation on contentment taken from Proverbs 30 is excellent and well worth your time to watch.
Excellent reminder and grounding advice