Wise and wealthy people will not frivolously give away their wealth. It is alright for wealthy people to stay wealthy. Buddhism does not advocate communism. On the other hand, Buddhists should not say, "Everything that is mine absolutely belongs to me. I will use any means to protect my possessions." Buddhism encourages people to make offerings and help others. Strict capitalism, where people try to accumulate as much wealth as possible, is not in accordance with the Dharma. It is also quite destructive.

There are other attitudes toward wealth that can be detrimental; that is, thinking of material wealth as a guarantee of personal security, or as a symbol of success, achievement and status. People with these attitudes will try to accumulate as much wealth as possible. If they have a thousand dollars, they'll want ten thousand. When they have tens of thousands, they'll want millions. They will want to accumulate for themselves as well as their descendants. They hope their children and grandchildren will keep their wealth and, in fact, help it to grow. They constantly think of ways to enhance their material wealth, and worry about losing what they already have. With so much on their minds, they have little time for anything else, least of all religious practice.

Furthermore, such people have a deep impression that money is hard to come by, so they are reluctant to part with it, to help others. The idea of accumulating more and more of anything is contrary to practice. The opposite attitude, being careless and reckless with one's possessions, is also contrary to practice. Such an attitude is irresponsible.