>>>>>>>At the core, I hold the sanctity of the individual as an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others. This means that men deal with each by free, voluntary exchange for mutual benefit. The greatest and most important thing individuals can (and ought to) do is pursue their own rational self-interest and their own happiness. Each individual's life is an absolute.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Now, everyone might say (with a level of sincerity) that they agree with these ideas
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Or we might say that we disagree with those ideas. The greatest and most important thing individuals can (and ought to) do is strive to make the world a better place for all, even if their own self-interest suffers for it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Tamar
>>>>>
>>>>>The greatest and most important thing individuals can (and ought to) to is strive to make the best life possible for themselves and their family and to encourage others by example.
>>>>
>>>>Isn't that a definition of greed?
>>>
>>>So Jesus was greedy? ;)
>>
>>Encouraging by example, sure. Making the best life possible for Himself, no.
>
>I beg to differ. If one cares to make the leap of faith, he knew and accepted his mission and fulfilled it to the best of his ability. The best life possible for himself was where he sacrificed himself for all others. Mind you he also knew that he would rise after death.
>
>Perhaps we should use a more concrete example, how about Mother Teresa. Clearly she led by example, but there is also a great seal of self serving in what she did. Established a name, fame, and fortune which she directed towards furthering her cause, and her fame...

Making the best life for oneself by sacrificing for others is getting quite a ways away from what you said in the first place, or at least how I understood you. Weren't we talking about keeping earnings (at least most of it) rather than paying taxes?