Ethical Consumption: Making Purchasing Decisions as a Christian Steward

Imagine this: You’re shopping for a new shirt and find one you really like. Then you look at the price and are shocked at how low it is. What do you do? Snap it up, congratulating yourself for being such a good steward who knows a good deal when you see one? Or does the low price give you pause? Does it make you wonder how it could cost so little? Was it made it some distant factory where the workers are paid poorly and toil in harsh conditions?

The Bible says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). How does this teaching apply to our purchase decisions?

Good stewardship is about much more than getting the most for your money. It’s about glorifying God in your use of the money He has entrusted to your care. That means your spending decisions aren’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about how the people involved in producing the products you buy or services you use are treated. And it’s about how the companies you do business with treat God’s creation as well. Here are some ideas for spending in a way that reflects your Christian faith:

Read labels

Look for products that are fair trade certified. This signifies that employees are treated fairly and there is no child or forced labor involved. It also means the producers were paid fairly — enough to cover the cost of sustainable production that minimizes environmental impact, and enough extra to invest in their business or community. Fair trade certified companies are audited annually to ensure compliance with fair trade standards.

Look around on the websites of companies you do business with as well. Many now include statements as to how they treat their employees, where they source their materials, and the sustainability of their business practices.

Slow down

Fast fashion is one of the biggest trends in the clothing industry. It’s about quickly producing huge quantities of inexpensive clothing items to foster rapid inventory turnover and frequent buying (and discarding) of clothing. The system relies of low-wage labor and generates significant waste.

What’s a good steward to do? First, consider the cost. Not the low cost of the items offered for sale, but the high price paid by the workers producing the clothing. While paying very little for clothing may seem like being wise with God’s money, the Bible encourages a wider view.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

And what about the impact that all that manufacturing and discarding is taking on God’s creation? The first job assignment God gave was to tend to His creation.

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).

While there are no iron-clad rules here, good stewardship would seem to suggest slowing your buying—purchasing fewer, higher-quality items and keeping them longer.

Seek wisdom

Our consumer culture is far from quiet. There are marketing messages coming at you from all corners, telling you, in essence, that you don’t have enough, and even worse, that you are not enough. It can leave you on a treadmill of wanting and buying and wanting again. It takes some intentionality to do things differently. It takes wisdom, which God freely gives just for the asking (James 1:5).

As we approach Christmas, one of the most sacred celebrations of the year—and also one of the most commercial—it’s especially important to be mindful of what it means to be a good steward.

Enhance your devotion to biblical stewardship with a Christian banking institution. Join CCCU today!

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Matt Bell is the author of Trusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of God-Honoring Money Management. He speaks at churches and conferences throughout the country and writes the MattAboutMoney blog.

This article should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. You may wish to consult a tax or financial advisor about your individual financial situation.

Check out the frequently asked questions below.

Q: How much of good stewardship is about finding good deals?

A: That’s definitely part of it. There are deals to be found on lots of things you buy. However, there’s more to it than that. As Christians, it’s important to consider how the people involved in producing the goods and services you buy are treated.

Q: How can I tell how well a company’s workers are treated?

A: Check whether products are fair trade certified. And look at a company’s website to see if they have a section that addresses this.

Q: How much are environmental factors part of ethical consumption?

A: The first job God assigned was to care for His creation, so taking environmental concerns into consideration is important. Here, too, in order to be fair trade certified, businesses need to adhere to certain business practices that minimize environmental impact.

Q: What other steps can I take to be a good steward as I buy products I need or want?

A: The consumer culture emphasizes frequent buying, which requires people to discard items frequently as well. Buying fewer, higher-quality items that last longer will be better overall stewardship.