What about the importers? Apparently they imported before – to their advantage, as it were. They could say, “The importation did ME good.” Having been there once, ME wants more - £3 million more.
When Jeremiah (see bold above) wrote his ancient book he was living in Jerusalem. They year was around BC 550. The book, with others, in preserved in the national archives of Israel – and is now reproduced in every Christian Bible.
What did those ancient Jerusalem people want more of? Wine, actually. They could truthfully say, “It does ME good.” The alcohol traders said the same. “This is profitable to ME.” They didn’t add “because folk can’t do without it”.
What about gambling? A flutter is a real buzz. “It does ME good.” And the bookies? Let’s have more shops, higher stakes, Sunday opening. “This is profitable to ME” (because folk can’t do without it).”
And so it goes on. Does it? In fact, how far does it actually go?
It goes as far as selling folk insurance products which they don’t need but are made to feel they should have in order for a borrowing deal to be “good for ME.” It seems inconceivable but it’s true: British banks have had to repay over £18,000,000,000 to customers because insurance was wrongly sold to them.
When I see the photo of the hotel swimming pool in the holiday brochure I say, “This will do ME good.” But the people in the picture won’t be there – won’t do ME the good suggested even if they are.
And clothing? This addition to my wardrobe – look at how attractive it will make ME – look at how I shall look when wearing it. The retailers “wholeheartedly” agree. It’s good for WE.
Two thousand five hundred years ago, in parallel circumstances, Almighty God asked Jeremiah to set this question in front of his chosen people. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? |