Harvest
Mike Chesterton, from Tearfund, reminds us that thanking God for His provision and caring for people in need are central themes throughout scripture. But in our global market place, the virtual certainty of a good harvest for many farmers is now far from certain. And there is fierce competition from large corporate growers and supermarkets, driving down prices to provide cheaper products and more profit for shareholders.
In the bible, Amos lists five things that were reprehensible (Amos 8:5-6):
- Trading had become more important than anything else. (Today ever increasing shopping hours deliver more profit for big retail companies.)
- Dishonest scales. (Some supermarkets set artificially high prices for Fairtrade, organic or locally produced products.)
- Inflating prices. Buying cheaply and selling expensively is contrary to God’s will.
- Exploiting the poor.
- No concern for quality, especially where the poor were concerned.
So how can we respond to Amos in today’s global economy? God must be interested in what happens when we go shopping. By making a commitment to buy Fairtrade we are supporting the millions of producers in developing countries who rely on our just and righteous purchasing decisions just to survive.
Become a Fairtrade church!
184 churches in the diocese have now registered as Fairtrade churches. To find out more, contact Sue Heil on 0161 828 1445.
