Wealth protects children.  No way around it.  Half my family was poor – Third World style.  The generational effects are tremendous and long-lasting.  Money doesn’t just talk, it screams and curses.

But wealth can also make you stupid.  While I did teach a goodly number of kids from difficult backgrounds, I also taught those from wealthy ones as well.  Most were actually very decent people, they had grounded parents.  Some not so much.  I felt sorry for them.  I did enjoy looking at their sports cars.  Wealth is one of those U-shapes curve phenomena.  Too little or too much can be harmful.

Once upon a time, this rich self-centered corporate lawyer told me patronizingly that while I didn’t get paid much, I had a lot of stories.  I didn’t think much of that statement at the time.  But now it makes more sense.

I started telling mt kids my stories.  Primarily so they could know me better.  Somewhere along the way, I realized and told them that this is how I am protecting them.  The stories give them a framework to handle various situations that come their way.  Life trained me well.

And beyond those, that law enforcement network I built up over the years.  That is not a story.  That is also their shield.  In addition to Jesus, they can wash sins away.