UK banks' retail operations should be "ring-fenced" from their investment banking arms, the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has recommended in its interim report.
The aim is to provide a safe separation between the risky, and previously reckless, casino style banking of the markets, and the boring High Street banking of the old school, run by people like Mr. Mainwaring (Dad's Army!!).
This safe separation is not meant to lead to a break up of the banks, as that is deemed too drastic. That treatment might kill the patient, apparently.
This led me to wonder whether we think we can deal with our own lives in the same way. Can we have one part of our lives where we live to please Jesus, and another part where we think we can get away with a risky and potentially damaging lifestyle? Is it possible to have a safe separation? But what would Jesus say?
'“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.' (Matthew 6.2)
Jesus doesn't see that it is possible to have a mixed economy, as our lives cannot sustain this sort of separation. '“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.' (Matthew 7.15-16a) It is not possible to be both harmless and harmful in the same life.
Today, let us seek to be integrated followers of Jesus, in which all of our life is given over to Him.
Best wishes,
Richard
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