Unlimited Liability at the Crossroads

     A favorite concept of Robert Greenleaf is the concept of “unlimited liability.”  He describes our culture as one in which two dominate symbols catch our imaginations.  One is the symbol, Inc., and the other, LTD.  Both are used in business, e.g. General Motors, Inc. / British Petroleum, LTD.  

     According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Small Business:

“in a sole proprietorship, the owner is personally liable for his or her business's debts and losses, there is little distinction made between personal and business…”  and  “a partnership is merely joint ownership, and in terms of personal liability, is similar to a sole proprietorship.”

“Incorporation, on the other hand, is a more complex process for it involves the creation of a legal entity that serves as a sort of "person" that can enter into and dissolve contracts; initiate or be the recipient of legal action; and own, acquire, and sell goods and property. A corporation, which must be chartered by a state or the federal government, is recognized as having rights, privileges, assets, and liabilities distinct from those of its owners.”

Limited Liability

     Both Inc. and LTD refer to an enterprise owned by shareholders whose liability for the enterprise's debt is restricted: thus “limited liability.”  This concept of “limited liability” can easily be transferred into our relationships. Commitments are made with “limited liability,” For instance, a marriage can be perceived as a contract with “limited liability” on the part of the individuals entering into the agreement.  One can walk away from relationships without a crisis of conscience because the commitment was limited; or a reservation existed as to the degree of burden, demand or responsibility within the consent. 

Unlimited Liability

     Jesus’ call of the servant leader is one of “unlimited liability.”  I have always found the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the Acts of the Apostles an intriguing example of “limited liability,” and a meaning for authentic community. Ananias and Sapphira become examples of individuals compromising the integrity of the meaning of community.  For having sold some property for the needs of the community’s poor, they return their offering to the apostles, offering their proceeds to help feed the poor.  The difficulty is not in offering the proceeds but the lack of integrity.  In holding back some of the proceeds – limiting their perceived commitment to the community- they compromise the integrity of the entire community.   As a result they are cut off from the community and their life in Christ.
      In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples that “no one having put his hand to the plow, and then looks behind him, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”   A limited liability has no place in the God’s reign.
     Robert Greenleaf in The Servant Leader says that “as soon as one’s liability is qualified to any degree, love is diminished by that much.”
     Jesus says, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and with all your strength. ‘The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ‘There is no other commandment greater than these. “
     The Christian Community is called to serve with an unlimited liability - it becomes a way of life for the servant community.