The Biblical Model For Sustainable Living

The Biblical Model For Sustainable Living has eluded mankind throughout the ages.

While the common man has dreamed of a utopian society that could be achieved via a plethora of isms (capitalism, socialism, communism, and so on), that utopia has never been achieved due to mans corruption of the ideals of whatever ism is in place.

Yesterday I left a comment on a blog post about why purchasing quality coffee online made sense, and have found myself thinking about it a lot today.  When I consider how most products are produced and brought to market in our country, it just makes me shudder.  This business model is certainly not what God intended.

Let’s start with our buying habits. We live in a shop til you drop society.  We are always buying more and more stuff, and in six months to a year we will not want, not use, find broken, or deem no longer stylish, and in most cases, just throw it out.  We have been taught to consume, and to keep us consuming the manufacturers must provide us with a price point that keeps the treadmill moving.  So how do they do that?

Easy, they exploit workers in less developed areas of the world.  Men, women, and children in other parts of the world will work long hours in poor conditions for a fraction of what American workers get paid.  We want cheap prices, and so we turn our heads and hearts away from the knowledge of how all this stuff can get to market so cheaply.  What if we took the initiative to bring about change in the world?  There are a few things we can do that would impact the world in a positive way.

First, I believe we need to stop and think about things before we make a purchase.  If we would just stop buying so many things we really don’t need, we would have more money to invest in quality items that we do need, items that will last and remain useful for years to come.

Next, learn about the companies that make the products, and buy from the ones that have proven to be socially and environmentally responsible.  As an example, I don’t mind paying a little more for a pair of shoes from Toms.  When I buy shoes from Toms, I know a needy child somewhere in the world is receiving a pair also, so I am making that child’s world a better place.  When I buy certified fair trade coffee, I am supporting a better standard of living for the workers that grow and harvest the coffee beans.  And when I buy quality American made products, I contribute to our economy and help to keep American workers employed.

You see we have a choice to make.  It is not just the government that is out of control spending endless dollars unwisely, it is all of us.  We pay for convenience, we pay for instant gratification, we pay for the unnecessary, we no longer expect anything to last more than a season, and we indulge in excess.  We all want our piece of the dream, and we just don’t often give any thought to who got stepped on for us to have what we want.

God created our planet with an abundance of everything we need.  There is truly enough for everyone to have it all, if we are good stewards of the abundance that surrounds us.  That makes it our responsibility to do what we can to keep things balanced and equitable rather than take advantage of others misfortune.  It also means that we must hold our leaders accountable to the same standard.

The biblical model for leadership is King Solomon, who through wisdom achieved great wealth and splendor not only for himself, but for his people.  The biblical model for the employer is one who treats people fairly and pays them a fair wage that provides for them and their family, and provides a safe and pleasant work environment.  The biblical model for the employee is to work hard, be productive, and be mindful of both quality and value due to the employer.   For the self employed, the customer should be provided the best quality product at a fair price, with no deceit or trickery.

Returning to the biblical model will require effort on our part, and a change in our world view.  We will need to do our homework to learn about the companies offering us products and support the ones that earn our business by their actions, as we shun the ones built on greed and exploitation.   It will require sacrifice on the part of those who have much, to make a way for those who have little, and begin transforming this broken system into a sustainable way of life.  We can start today by becoming more responsible citizens of the world, and by our actions, cause change to come about.

The biblical model for sacrifice is Jesus, who gave His all for us.  By following His loving and giving example, we can be the change we want to see in the world.

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Oh Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again
Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit, rain down

Blessings & Adventure,

Lynn “lynnibug” Rios

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