How much do we have?

That was the question Jesus asked in Mark 6 v 38. This was in response
To his disciples own protestations when he instructed them to give the followers,
over 5,000 in number, something to eat.
“Should we go out and spend a year’s wages on bread to feed them? They asked of Jesus.
John’s Gospel (ch 6 v 5) identifies Phillip as the disciple who asks the question and makes the claim of a year’s wages. Clearly, the disciples weren’t too keen on taking
Responsibility for this multitude, but Jesus already had a clear strategy.
“How much do we have?’ he asked. “Go and see.”
The lesson for us economically is that we need to carefully take stock of our resources before stating that a particular need cannot be met. This, I believe also applies to extensive external borrowing, which is presently causing immense hardship for many,
and moreover, is stifling the innate resourcefulness and creative spirit of the people.

Government officials, especially the Cabinet members, need to take more time to go out
around the country, identify resources, particularly in the massive yet largely untapped
cultural/historical sphere, and then proceed to the next step. Increased domestic enterprise will reduce the need for expensive external debt by providing greater revenue inflows, as was stated by the then Opposition Spokesman on Finance during the pre-Electoral debates.


The youth have the answer
Amidst all the all adults present, (at least 5000 males and more females), it was a boy, most likely under the bar mitzvah age of 12 and therefore most likely not even counted
in the numbering process, who provided the basics.
Too often, the youth and their ideas are discounted (I know I have been guilty of this), and in a nation where the vast majority of the population (some 60% if I recall the last Census) is under 25, we continue to ignore the youth to our peril. In the hands of a boy lay the simple formula for feeding the nation.
I propose that each member of the Cabinet retains a youth advisor, and the existing linkages through such institutions as the National Youth Service, the Police Youth Clubs, church youth groups (it goes without saying that every church operating in this nation must have a vibrant Youth ministry) must be strengthened. Youth that are organised and motivated in a healthy way, will hardly turn to crime. This time of organisation and motivation (in an unhealthy way) is almost exactly what the dons of the inner cities offer.
Organisations like the Young Entrepreneurs and the youth arms of the major political parties also need to be strengthened and encouraged, by the Government, as well as by media.


Next: He blessed the food