"For of those to whom much is given, much is required."

[BrendaBrick]

13. For me

this has never been anything else but logical. Maybe it has something to do with being raised as a catholic...and I seriously questioned that whole *confessional* thing as a youngster asking just why I needed a *middle man* (hands on hips) to begin with to intervene on my behalf while talking to god? (I never once entered that confessional booth/chamber, btw.) Maybe it has something to do while in first grade (public school) in 1966 printed in big, bold cursive and block letters just below the ceiling, (so as not to be missed either way): - The Golden Rule: "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You."

Not rocket science.

Interesting regarding the statement of the OP about... "For those to whom much is given, much is required". Well, like D'oh!

I know that there is a plethora of really stupid, asinine, dumbing-down TV programs on the major networks by and large these days - but I think one exception is ABC's: "Secret Millionaire".

I like watching it. It brings tears to my eyes and gives me goosebumps. It shows certain *rich folks* actually stepping out of their secure bubbles and getting a taste of real life that others face each and everyday. What's even more important is that they introduce this *not so rosy* reality to their children! (Code = hope for the future!) The ending premise of the show is to not only highlight the COUNTLESS unselfish people/unsung heroes in this country (and there are a WHOLE BUNCH of them out there that we will never, ever really know about, sadly...but rest assured - they are out there and need more folks to join in!) dedicating their lives and sparse incomes to helping make their local communities a safer and better place to live and grow - but that this gaping gulf between the rich and poor is momentarily dissolved/suspended and for just a brief moment/spark/sliver of this particular time and space, the millionaires donate X amount of $$$ to each cause - but the real take-away is worth more than any money could buy. It connects people across all stratus of income and hones in on the really important things in life...that being to just basically make a positive difference in each others' life/lives.

So simple, actually. It's what connects us all. That intrinsic craving for connection that *money*/paper alone, in and of itself could never even hope to achieve. Nope. Not even in its wildest of wildest dreams!