“Stuff” (Lk.16:19-31) [“Reflections On Adam Smith's Book An Inquiry Into The Nature And Causes Of The Wealth Of Nations Indianapolis : Liberty Classics, 1981 (Vol.I and II) Book 1, Chapter 1-B”]
As we must downsize at the end
Of life, on others we depend
To take our “Stuff” and cash it in –
The remnants of a life that’s been.I’ve done it twice now – goodness me,
A shopping bag is all I see
As final downsize here takes place –
On life of “Getting” casts disgrace.So when did all this getting start?
When did the acquisition part
Move to the top-spot in our minds?
Was there a certain point in time?I toured John Knox’s flat one day –
‘Twas pretty sparse, that I must say –
A cup, a bowl, plank-table, chair,
And bed – not more than that was there.He made an impact in his life
With not much more than fork and knife;
But now I see in Adam Smith,
That was quite close to start of it.For we could make a whack of goods
With new machines – we understood
That wealth of nation would be great,
So “Stuff” piled up (designed to break).Well, now that backlog is caught up,
Except in “Two-thirds-world” – that’s tough
On those who live there, but “No wealth”
Defines them out – that there’s no help –In sight for them – how can they buy
From us? There’s simple reason why –
We do the making, selling there;
No cash? No sale – we little care.And that describes our rural-route
Out here – no jobs to earn some loot,
So we can’t buy except on tab,
And discount-stores, for which we’re glad.For now we can amass more stuff,
For which there never is “Enough”;
Left-over goods – our forks and knives;
The crumbs of Lazarus and Dives.I ask – is there a better way
To boost economies today?
If two-thirds-world starts to produce
This much – a monster’s then set loose.Lord, help me to now comprehend
Your word to us as we ascend
Upon Your Kingdom-layer to live
Our lives in You – fresh insight give.Thanks Lord for this.
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