Enough, or never enough?

I recently glanced at papers for the AGM of a UK mutual insurance group and noticed that of the three declared aims of the Board, the first is `Delivering Sustainable Profitable Growth`. 

Perfectly normal, we might think, and even commendable, with ‘sustainable’ included!   ‘Growth’ is a natural aim, fundamental to how most business operates, and it is usually an unquestioned aim.

But just how big does a company want to grow…until it is the biggest in the country…or in the world…until all competitors have been absorbed or taken over?

‘Too Much and Never Enough’ is the title of a book by Donald Trump’s niece, and it prompted a letter to the editor of the Glasgow Herald.  In it the writer recalled friends Robert and Mary who had visited Florida, and met an American millionaire:-

`Charmed by their Scottish accent, he took a shine to them, and invited them to a party on his luxury yacht.  As guests on board continuously voiced their frustration at a stock market dip jeopardising further acquisitions of yachts and properties, Mary wondered innocently: “But there must come a time, surely, when you feel you have enough?” The shocked silence that ensued was finally broken by a whispered “There’s NEVER enough.“ ‘

How incredibly un-biblical is that sentiment!  Prophet after prophet rails against the accumulation of riches in few hands.  If only a few own all the land there is nowhere for the poor to live, and similarly, if only a few control the wealth (and Oxfam reckons that 26 billionaires hold half of the world`s wealth) then there is not enough money for the poor.

There is also the simple fact that unlimited growth on a limited planet is a nonsense – even though it appears to be espoused by many who find faith incredible!

But for us, supremely, it is the teaching of Jesus which has the last word: his warning that we should store up riches in heaven rather than earth: his assertion that anything we do for the poor we do for him: his command to love even our enemies in the quest for perfection.

Only the Kingdom of Heaven can and should grow as a great shrub from a tiny seed, as this week`s Gospel tells us.

Every blessing to all, what ever this week brings you.

Jim from Nethy Bridge

Scotland