Does Christianity promote trade

Answer 1

I'm not sure what the question means so the answer comes from different angles:

Firstly, the Christian sees absolutely nothing wrong in proper and fair trading. Jesus, being a carpenter, was a tradesman. So was Paul (a tent maker). Peter, Andrew, James and John (Fishermen), Joseph of Arimathea (traditionally believed to be a merchant) and so on. Hence, trade is seen as not only a good thing, but vital.

Christians don't however necessarily promote trade as such, as the message of Christianity - that we should love God with all our hearts souls minds and strength, axccept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and love others, just as He loves us - does not regard trade as relevant to this belief or a part of it.

However, as for fair trade, Christians almost always promote trade with developing countries that is good and fair, and speak out against any form of trade that can be seen to be exploitive. In most UK churches, for example, we promote Fairtrade goods wherever possible, use Fairtrade products (like tea, coffee sugar etc) for use after services, and actively promote Tradecraft and other Fairtrade goods in the community.

There are down sides, of course. In some areas, notably in large pilgrimage sites such as Lourdes, there will inevitably be a huge amount of trade in tourist tat, statues, religious paraphernalia and so on that are sold as a direct result of the people visiting the site of pilgrimage. This sort of trade is embarassing to the church, despite it usually being secularly organised, and is something that really has no place in Christian worship or mission.

Finally, the Christian Church, following Jesus' teaching, sees nothing wrong in the end product of that trading - money and profit. However, to the Christian, that profit should be fair and not as a result of exploitation or bad management, and the money should be used for wholesome purposes. In scripture we read that the love of money (and not money itself - a common misquote!!) is the root of all evil, and therefore any trade that makes money for money's sake cannot be wholesome and good as it leads to greed and a craze for power. No wonder the banks came unstuck in recent years as they became ever more greedy and led to the biggest world recession for decades. However, any trade that makes money fairly and honourably so that others may lead decent lives, or earn themselves out of poverty, must be considered good, and blessed by God.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

I too am somewhat perplexed by this question. I also believe that the above answer is complete but would like to add my point of view.

Whilst it is true that Jesus made no particular reference to trade, He lived in a time when Judea was occupied by the Romans who were syphonning off the wealth of Judea for the benefit of the the Roman Empire, thereby leaving the Jews impoverished. Jesus most certainly must have seen this as grossly unfair; as it actually amounted to theft and obviously not trade in any sense. Christianity is all about community and the benefit of the community. Jesus did say that when two or more of you agree over a request made here on earth, it will be given to you by My Father in Heaven and in the same breath, whenever two or three of you are gathered in My Name, there am I also. (Matthew18:19-20). This indicates to me that Jesus must have been thinking of the community and fair treatment of that community and the Romans were not "playing fairly" as they were not giving back anything for what they "stole".

As human beings, we are created in God's image. We therefore deserve respect. The Jews in Jesus' time were severely restricted and were not allowed to benefit from the wealth of their own territory. The Jews themselves were being treated as a commodity. As human beings, that is not respectful or fair in my book.

I am also reminded of the instance when the Pharisees approached Jesus with a Roman coin, trying to trick him into speaking against the Romans and their burdensome taxes. Jesus showed them the coin and asked whose image was show on the coin. It was Caesar's image from which we have Jesus saying that the Jews should render to Caesar what is his and to leave God what is His which may be interpreted as leave to God's chosen people what is theirs. (Matthew 22:17-21).