My understanding is that thriving communities, share. They understand the basic principle that some are more capable than others, and it is beneficial for the strong to support the weak, because life is full of surprises and each of us may one day be the one who is weak.
All benefit in this system because there is a basic common denominator of support and we get pleasure from giving. it is a win-win.
I read that those who are destined to get a million dollar bonus are wanting their bonus this year not next, because, horror of horrors, if Congress does not extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the highest income levels, a typical worker who earns a $1 million bonus would pay $40,000 to $50,000 more in taxes next year than this year, depending on base salary.
Let's see: $40,000 to $50,000 on a million dollars. That's really cutting to the bone. I believe the idea of tithing, of giving 10%, has worked out well throughout history. I believe this would be a tax of perhaps 5% on a bonus. Is that too much to give?