Torch, Spring/Summer 2009

Spring–Summer 2009 | TORCH 13 Countries fully participating in the global economic system — such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan — are succeeding. And programs like Business As Mission and micro-financing offer impoverished communities a solution. The first helps individuals start a business in a target country, supplying jobs and creating wealth while also providing an opportunity to be the light of Christ to the world. Participants not only put their talents, skills, and abilities to work in a closed-access nation, but they also become more involved than they would in a traditional “tent-making” ministry. The November 2007 Christianity Today article “The Mission of Business” states, “In recent years, more than 2,000 books and 800 nonprofit organizations have encouraged combining commerce and faith in the workplace. They are piggybacking on a broader trend known as ‘social entrepreneurship,’ which advocates using capitalism instead of charity to address social problems like poverty.” Similarly, micro-financing provides very small loans to the very poor, aiding their efforts to make money. Even enough funds to buy livestock or set up a small vendor stand can often make a profound difference in the lives of a developing- world family. Of course, participating in the global economy and showing people how to create wealth comes with a cost. As other countries increase their wealth, they will start to catch up with the larger and wealthier nations — and the United States needs to support this development. God is giving us an opportunity to take His blessings and leverage them for His Kingdom. By choosing to minister His love in practical ways, we serve people and build relationships so that the Gospel may be shared. T Dr. Bert Wheeler serves as professor of economics at Cedarville University. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Tennessee and also conducted graduate work at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He has taught at Cedarville since 1992. SLAVOLJUB PANTELIC / ISTOCKPHOTO