Good Shepherd

The love of a shepherd for his flock is economic in nature. He takes care of them for the profit they will bring him in the future, not because he likes hanging around with sheep. A good shepherd is a good business man, first and foremost.

He may come to have a special regard for this flock; he may even come to like sheep as a species; but if his profit margin falls below a certain level, he will sell or liquidate his charges with little or no concern for their individual welfare. I think Christianity should re-think its metaphors.