Thursday, August 19, 2010

Jim Wallis: Social Justice Fat Cat?

UPDATE: Wallis' 2011 salary grew to $197,000. His 2013 compensation increased to $218,000.

Rev. Jim Wallis, executive director of the non-profit Sojourners, preaches social justice. But, apparently he doesn't mind receiving a wage (from a non-profit organization) that puts him and his family in the top 7% of American families.

The 2006 data on U S family income breaks down as follows:

25% of US families earn under $25,000 per year (28 million families)
26% of US families earn from $25,000 to $49,999 per year (29 million families)
19% of US families earn from $50,000 to $74,999 per year (21 million families)
12% of US families earn from $75,000 to $99,999 per year (13 million families)
11% of US families earn from $100,000 to $149,999 per year (12 million families)
3.5% of US families earn from $150,000 to $199,999 per year (4 million families)
3.5% of US families earn $200,000 or more a year (4 million families)

Wallis' 2009 compensation from Sojourners was $161,835 (not including $15,133 from related organizations). That's just his income from Sojourners. That doesn't include income from other sources or income from other family members.

Wallis' $161,835 Sojourners' salary puts him and his family ahead of 93% of American families, and way ahead of the bottom 50% of families. Wallis makes three times as much as half of American families. He makes more than six times as much as the bottom quarter of American families--the families arguably most in need of social justice.

A salary way out of line with what most American families get may not be inappropriate for someone running a $7 million dollar profit making business. But, how about for someone heading a non-profit, non-tax paying organization dedicated to "articulate the biblical call to social justice" and who regularly condemns others for their non-social justice views and lifestyles?

UPDATE: Here are worldwide per capita income estimates.

H/T Jay Richards [even though about a different Wallis issue]

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