I wonder what Heavenly Father thinks about Gated Communities?

The other night I was doing a parental driving stint with my 15 year old when we passed by a well-manicured street with a sign posted at the entrance announcing that this was a "Private Neighborhood." I found myself wondering how Heavenly Father viewed this and other luxurious gated communities in the area. Is what they symbolize offensive in His sight? What do those gates say? "You can mow my lawn but please don't expect to live by me." If charity includes "seeking not her own" how do gates of separation fit in?

It's not about money. Money can be used for great good and to lift humanity. I am grateful for those who use their money in productive and charitable ways. What I am speaking of is the inclination to shut others out who have less than we do or to set ourselves apart through exclusivity, acquisition and endless consumption of a luxury lifestyle.

I am teaching Alma 1 in Institute class Wed. night. I've been contemplating some scriptures apropos to this topic.

and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength. And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely
(Book of Mormon | Alma 1:26 - 27)

And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 1:30)

And here's one of my favorites:

Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?

(Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:39)

It's not that there weren't rich and poor in these societies but apparently in each others' eyes "all were equal" in value - "they did all labor, every man according to their strength" and when differing abilities produced unequal possessions those who were more prosperous shared with those who weren't of their own free will and choice.

It seems to me Republicans have been vigorously defending the rights of the rich to keep their $ (which I happen to agree with). I wonder, however, if they spent equal effort promoting the obligation of the rich, of their own free will and choice, to care for the poor among them (ahhhh, maybe that is the purpose of the gated community :) our society would go a long ways towards solving our social problems. The democrats could also learn something from these verses. People need to work according to their own strengths. Welfare alone is not good for the human soul. Opportunities and possibilities open doors which is why I love the idea behind the Perpetual Education Fund run by the LDS church.

And now on the lighter side: