COMMENTARY: Buffet's View of Wealthy Is Harmonious with That of Jesus

In a New York Times op-ed this week, billionaire Warren Buffet -- one of the world's three richest men -- writes that he and his mega-rich friends should pay more taxes.

Buffet adds that he and his mega-rich friends have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress, and -- in fairness to the American body politic -- it is time for extremely wealthy Americans to pay more taxes to the federal government.

Buffet must be commended for taking such an honest, self-sacrificing, and realistic position on the need for the rich to be taxed more, despite the fact that his position means that he would be taxed several million dollars more by the federal government each year.

Buffet also emphasizes in his op-ed that it is the poor and middle class Americans -- not the upper class -- who are fighting and dying in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while the extremely wealthy Americans enjoy their freedom and continue to live a luxurious lifestyle.

In fact, Buffet's view of the wealthy is harmonious with the teachings of Jesus, because Jesus emphasizes that wealthy human beings must help people who are less fortunate.

Jesus conveys His support of this attribute very emphatically in the Bible when He says: "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." --Matthew 19:24

Buffet's call on Congress to immediately raise the tax rate for households with taxable incomes of more than $1 million -- with an additional hike for those making $10 million or more -- is indeed a fair and reasonable way to implement this tax plan.

President Obama has already agreed with Buffet's recommendation to tax the rich more, as he believes it is an effective and fair way to help close the U.S. deficit.

In fairness to our society -- in which most Americans are struggling to make ends meet -- let's hope that Congress quickly passes a tax law that includes Buffet's recommendation.