Does God mind where I shop? With so many shops and supermarkets to choose from does it make a difference which one I choose? Does the Bible have anything to say on the matter? If you're looking for a verse that says 'Thou shalt not shop at ?????' you're going to be disappointed. (And I would recommend a version that says 'You shall not ...' rather than 'Thou shalt not...' but that's a whole different topic. If interested visit www.usingthebible.blogspot.com).
But our faith should impact every area of our lives and that includes where we shop and what we buy when we're there.
This week is the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight (25 Feb - 9 Mar). Two weeks in which we are encouraged, if we haven't already done so, to make the switch to buying Fairtrade goods, where possible. Buying goods which carry the Fairtrade Mark guarantees a better and fairer deal for farmers and producers in the developing world. God is passionate about the poor and the needy - if you don't believe that then go and read your Bible again. Start with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and see what Jesus has to say. Then move into Acts and see how for the early Christians care for the poor and needy was a natural expression of their faith. Then if you still need convincing have a go at some of the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Amos 8).
God is also passionate about justice (e.g. Micah 6:8) and therefore we should be too. One of the things that the Fairtrade Foundation highlights for us, whether we like it or not, is that not all dealings in the commercial world are fair. That means that there are small scale producers who are being exploited in order to keep costs down and profits high - and there is nothing they can do about it. But it means that they can't send their children to school, they have to make choices between things like food OR medicine, they can't invest in their communities... But when we buy goods which carry the Fairtrade Mark we are making a difference. It might not seem like a big difference on a global scale. But for a family who are now sending their children to school; for a community that has been able to sink a well to access clean and safe drinking water...it makes the world of difference.
To find out more visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
Does God mind where I shop? What do you think?
1 comment:
Ok, I'm a Fairtrade supporter. I'm hearing you - I'm going to try not to be too controversial about this.....
I was just thinking about all the different type of folk that I know. I was thinking about those I know who are readily engaging with Fairtrade and other national & political campaigns. I was thinking about those that do not and those that might in the future.
Sure there are some who are generally not engaging with anything outside the sphere of their lives. They are interested in where there children play tennis and in where they can get their hair done only. They are interested in the latest fashion, mobile phones and what's happening in Eastenders.
Some are from socialist/ quasicommunist backgrounds and so shop in Waitrose but will pick up fairtrade stuff.
Some think Fairtrade is not enough and are prepared to march about it.
The vast majority of those that I live near and some that I work with have close, first degree relatives living in relative poverty in their mother countries.
Why are they not engaging with fairtrade and other charitable and political campaigns? Is it because they are lazy and are only looking to their own bank accounts? Is it because they came to the UK for a better life and so are not interested in thinking of the poor that they left behind?
Is it because they regularly send money home to family and to village projects anyway?
Without giving them too many excuses, is it because they are involved, in some way, in politics at home, and so don't engage with politics here in the UK? Is it because they are regularly sending money home to their immediate and extended family for school, health care, sanitation, water, accommodation and transportation and so don't feel as though they are not doing their bit?
Is it because some of them buy their fruit and vegetables particularly in market type stalls and so do not feel in the same position as sainsbury's, m&s and waitrose shoppers to make themselves heard.
At lunchtime recently, I was talking with a colleague who was obviously distracted during the morning. Her head was obviously elsewhere. I asked her outright - what is happening at "home". She described how an in-law urgently needed money to be sent over so that they could attend the health clinic...she was trying to organise for it to be sent by western union...I'm sure this is not a unique situation.
I'm just putting the questions out there so that we can all discuss them. In order to engage people I think I need to start with an audit of how they may already be supporting those in impoverished countries. Despite the relative affluence of where I live on a world scale; it is a challenge to gain access to the mindset of those who are not engaging with these issues in the same way that I would expect them or like them too.
Verona
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