Bernie May, in Learning to Trust, writes of the Mazatec Indians, located in southwestern Mexico. Their culture is marked by the concept of “limited good.” The concept of limited good is that there is only so much good, so much knowledge, and so much love to go around. Accordingly, because good is limited, it is wise not to share it.

The concept of limited good has its ramifications. Seldom will anyone greet someone with a “Good day.” Knowledge is not shared freely, including the basic arts of village life, e.g., making bread. To teach another means you might lose your competitive advantage.

It seems that the concept of limited good flows from the root idea that there is not enough. While it would be easy enough to chide the concept as primitive, perhaps we should give it more credence.

Indeed, how often do we limit our good?  We can’t serve in church because we don’t have enough energy.  Or we can’t have a neighbor over because we have too many soccer practices.  Or perhaps, we don’t have enough time for the Scriptures because we didn’t get enough sleep.

Limited good is not just cultural. It is a concept of the heart, and it prompts other basic questions: Will I ever say I have enough? Is it enough for God to be my supplier?

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published January 24, 2011

Topics: Generosity

Generosity