Capital is the force that raises the productivity of labour and creates the wealth of nations. It is the lifeblood of the capitalist system, the foundation of progress, and the one thing that the poor countries of the world cannot seem to produce for themselves, no matter how eagerly their people engage in all the other activities that characterize a capitalist economy...most of the poor already possess the assets they need to make a success of capitalism. Even in the poorest countries the poor save. But they hold resources in defective forms: houses built on land whose ownership rights are not adequately recorded, unincorporated businesses with undefined liability, industries located where financiers and investors cannot see them. Because the rights to these possessions are not adequately documented, these assets cannot readily be turned into capital, cannot be traded outside of narrow local circles where people know and trust each other.
If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty–handed. Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
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2 Comments
Serving six years
I wonder what kind of world we would have if everyone, including government workers, changed jobs every seventh year, with enough to live on while retraining?
Changing Jobs
I wonder if it wouldn’t be more creative, productive, and spiritually renewing. The Scripture above certainly demonstrates how much God values our freedom and creative productivity as individuals.
It’s sad that so many organizations, not just business organizations, work to extract value from people rather than build in value and unleash the creativity and productivity of people.
Given the current environment, you are very, very fortunate if you work for an organization that actually builds you up and provides you with the resources to be who you could be. And given that this is not the case for most folks, and given that almost no one will resource you for a paid sabbatical that may cause you to go work in another arena…Given those things, it is very much incumbent upon each of us to be doing the hard work of constantly developing ourselves. We must make it a lifelong habit to take ownership of our own development, to learn to keep reinventing ourselves, to keep developing our gifts and abilities, and to keep learning how we can deliver more value as we serve God and our world.