I’m not against wealth, per se, and it can certainly make your life simpler in some ways and more complicated in many other ways. The Bible has plenty to say about the the Lord’s blessings and our appropriate response to that. Those of us who are wealthy in this world (and that includes most Australians) have great expectations that accompany our wealth.
But, there are some things that just make me angry. Not sure I can fully explain why, but this story, for example of a Saudi prince’s $485million flying palace doesn’t make me envious – it actually really steams me when I think about the pure waste of money on something so beyond the boundary of extravagance that I just can’t comprehend what sort of mindset would create such a thing.
The plane usually seats 600, but lots of room had to be cleared for various perks. Naturally, there’s an on-board garage, so that the prince can be driven right to the threshold of of the airplane’s elevator. After arrival, he can retire to his master suite–one of five with king-size beds, and computer generated prayer mats which always face Mecca (one must always be humble); up to 20 extra-guests have to make due in sleepers that are the equivalent of first class.
But the real insanity begins elsewhere on the plane’s three floors: There’s a concert hall that seats ten and has a baby grand piano; a boardroom with a holographic projector; and a full-size steamroom. The most entertaining perk is a “Wellbeing Room” which has a floor upon which is projected an enormous image of what the plane is flying over–thus creating a “magic carpet” effect.
Yeah, that’s really cool… I guess you just have to make sure you’re not flying over really poor people, or it may mess with your wellbeing.