Parade magazine comes in our Sunday newspaper and they publish an annual salary report. Every single time it comes out I say, HOW MUCH???  Miley Cyrus is estimated at $75,000,000 for the year. Seriously? How much???

Here’s some others:
Sandra Bullock – $63M
Beyoncé – $46M
Payton Manning – $43M
Top 25 baseball salaries – average over $20M (this from Wikipedia)

Aircraft Maintenance – $75,000
Box Elder (SD) Principal – $60,000
Firefighter – $52,000
Deputy Sheriff – $44,000
Accordionist – $6,000

What do I do with this information?

Richard Stearns writes in his book, The Hole in our Gospel, that if your household makes $50,000 a year or more, you are in the top 1% of the world’s wealthiest families. If you earn $25,000 or more annually, you are in the top 10% of the world’s wealthiest folk.  That means 99% of the world makes less than my household and guessing many of yours too.   Luke 12:48 When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

I think entertainment and sports people make too much. I don’t think Miley Cyrus should make $7,500, but that’s not going to change because of what I think.  I think we should expect more.  I think our country has HUGE priority issues, but it should not be an excuse for the rest of us to step out and help others.  We’re in the top percentage of wealthiest in the world and much is expected of us.

So none of us are overpaid, if we do something with those resources. Except maybe the accordion player.