Consumer Preferences and Holiness

What are the standards for Christians participating in business activity?

Some actions are sinful. Some are unlawful. The standard of holiness is higher than the standard of the law, so some actions that are legal may still be sinful. The standard of the law is intended for restraining the worst evil, so is not as demanding as the standard for a holy life.

Economists say that people make purchases based on their preferences. I do not like this expression much. I believe that we make purchase decisions based on our moral character. Some preferences may be sinful, even if the opportunity is legally available on the market. Gossip magazine may be available, but reading them might be sinful.

Christians should ensure that their moral character is holy and good.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil 4:8).

As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, our character should be transformed. That should translate into preferences that are holy and good. As the number of Christians increases and as they are transformed, the range and price of goods and services being purchased should change significantly.

Many economists say that businesses can produce whatever they can sell on a free market. That may be lawful, but this is not the appropriate standard for Christians.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life (Phil 2:15,16).

Paying miserly wages to very poor people not be unlawful, but it may be sinful. Producing fat-laden potato crisps may be not be unlawful, but it could be sinful if they will harm the people that eat them.

The law deals with evil people. Christians should be living by a higher standard. Whether acting as producers or consumers, we must not assume that an action is okay, because it is lawful. The fact that something is available from a market, does not make it right (markets cannot make moral decisions). Morality can only come into a market through people thinking about the morality of their decisions and actions.

Christian economic behaviour should not be driven by our preferences or the market, but by what is "holy and good".