giving and justice

Posted by Paul | Filed under uncategorised

An interesting quote from Francis Schaeffer (The Great Evangelical Disaster)

… there is the question of the compassionate use of wealth … this means two things: first, making it with justice; and then using it with real compassion. As a matter of fact, I have said a number of times and places where I hope it counted that I think when Christians get to heaven and they speak of how much they gave to missions, to build schools, and so on, that the Lord is going to tell them it would have been better if they had had less money to give and had made their money with justice.

I’m pretty sure that we can extend this principle to ensuring that there is justice when we spend money. That having a little less money because we ensured justice in our purchasing is more important than maximising what we have to give.

For me it seems that it is sometimes easier to give money than to spend a little more on something that is traded fairly. Perhaps it is a learnt inclination to maximise what I have and look out for the good deal. I presume this isn’t the same for everyone, but perhaps we have our own reasons that hold us back.

I don’t think it is much of a stretch to imagine that, when Paul encourages giving in his letters, he would have been unimpressed if the people the giving is aimed at were simultaneously being exploited. Or if the exploitation was of others. If you don’t agree then a quick glance at Proverbs or the prophets may make you think again.

It really doesn’t make sense to help people with our giving and then exploit them, or others, with our spending.

I know fair trade isn’t a new thing, but we don’t often set it in the context of giving. At least in our culture, they are two side of the same issue.

Perhaps one approach is to set aside money that is specifically there to allow us to buy fairly traded goods, as well as setting aside money to give. Perhaps making a conscious choice in this way will allow us to give things the proper priority.

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Permalink | September 17th, 2007

One Response to “giving and justice”

  1. jonnyjpg Says:
    jonnyjpg September 18th, 2007 at 9:55 am

    great post thanks!

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