Should Shopping Ethically Matter to Christians?

Choose creation care through sustainability.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us: “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” The natural world is a gift from God to us, so we shouldn’t exploit it. Caring for creation is a sacred responsibility that goes back to Genesis 2:15, when God called Adam – the first human being – to take care of the Garden of Eden. However, industries like fast fashion, industrial agriculture, and electronics manufacturing contribute to deforestation, pollution, and other practices that threaten the health of our planet and all of us who depend on nature to be as God designed it.

Fast fashion, for example, generates enormous waste. Millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills each year. Electronic devices often contain non-recyclable components, creating toxic e-waste. But sustainability isn’t only about waste; it’s about considering the entire life cycle of a product – how it’s made, used, and disposed of. For instance, choosing organic or sustainably grown cotton reduces the environmental damage caused by pesticide use, while buying renewable energy-powered devices can significantly lower our carbon footprint. By reducing our consumption of harmful products and supporting sustainable brands, we can take good care of creation, as our Creator intends for us to do. 

Here are some ways to choose sustainability: 

• Choose brands committed to sustainable practices, such as using organic materials or reducing carbon footprints. 
• Repair items rather than replacing them to reduce waste.
• Invest in high-quality products designed to last, even if they cost more upfront.

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Love our neighbors through fair trade.

Jesus commands us in Matthew 22:39 to: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our globalized economy connects us to neighbors across the world – farmers, factory workers, and artisans who make the products we use daily. Sadly, many of these workers are exploited, receiving poverty wages or working in unsafe conditions to produce cheap products. God calls us in Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Choosing products with fair trade certification helps us bring justice to our neighbors who produce those products. Fair trade supports economic empowerment for marginalized people who work hard to make what we buy. It does so by ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and community investment. This issue is particularly important in industries where profit margins are very thin, like agriculture and clothing production. Everyday items like coffee, tea, chocolate, and clothing are often tied to exploitative practices unless they’re certified as fair trade. Farmers in developing nations often face volatile market prices for their crops, leaving them vulnerable to debt and poverty. Clothing workers in fast fashion factories frequently endure long hours, minimal pay, and unsafe environments. Fair trade addresses these issues by guaranteeing minimum prices, enabling producers to plan for the future, and by requiring compliance with labor and safety standards.

Here are some ways to choose fair trade:

• Look for fair trade labels when buying groceries like coffee, sugar, and bananas.
• Research ethical clothing brands that prioritize fair wages for clothing workers.
• Consider the true cost of a product. If it seems too cheap, ask yourself who is bearing the burden of that discount.

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Avoid products tied to child labor.

In Psalm 82:3, God calls us to: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Unfortunately, the many children who work around the world to produce cheap products fall into those categories. Jesus reminds us in Luke 18:16 that the kingdom of God belongs to children. They deserve better than being forced to work in dangerous conditions, denied education, and exploited for their labor to meet the global demand for inexpensive products. The chocolate industry is a well-documented offender, with many large chocolate brands using cocoa from farms that use child labor. Also, cobalt mining – which is an essential part of smartphone batteries – often involves children being sent to work in unsafe mines.

Rejecting products tied to child labor is an important act of advocacy. We can help create demand for ethical alternatives by supporting companies with transparent supply chains and strong human rights policies. This sends a message to corporations that Christians will not tolerate children being exploited and will stand up for what’s best for children. Also, we can use our voices to support international efforts to get rid of child labor, including fair trade legislation and programs that provide education for children in at-risk communities. When we choose responsibly sourced products, we affirm the inherent worth of every child and reflect Jesus’ love for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).

Here are some ways to avoid products tied to child labor:

• Support companies that have transparent supply chains and actively oppose child labor.
• Use resources like the Ethical Consumer Guide or similar tools to research products.
• Advocate for systemic change by supporting legislation that holds corporations accountable for human rights violations.

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Support animal welfare through cruelty-free products.

Proverbs 12:10 points out: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals …”. This verse highlights God’s concern for the welfare of all his creatures. We can reflect God’s care for all creation by considering animal welfare in our purchases. Sadly, animal cruelty is pervasive in industries like food production, cosmetics, and fashion. Factory farming often subjects animals to inhumane conditions, while many cosmetics are tested on animals, causing unnecessary suffering.

Choosing cruelty-free products and supporting ethical farming practices are ways to bring our purchases in line with God’s compassion. We can look for certifications like “Certified Humane” on products to make sure we’re not supporting companies that don’t treat animals with respect and care. As Christians, reflecting on our diets and shopping habits is an opportunity to examine how our consumption affects God’s creatures. While some may feel called to adopt a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, others might choose to prioritize ethically sourced meat and dairy products. These choices are deeply personal but based on a shared commitment to honor God’s creation. 

Here are some ways to support animal welfare: 

• Reduce our consumption of animal products, choosing plant-based alternatives when possible.
• Choose free-range, grass-fed, or ethically sourced meat and dairy products.
• Use only cruelty-free beauty and cleaning products.

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Advocate for justice through electronics choices.

In Colossians 3:23-24, the Bible urges us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” This verse shows the value of work and the dignity of every worker. However, the electronics industry often profits from exploiting workers. Many smartphones, laptops, and other devices rely on minerals like cobalt and tin, which are mined in conflict zones under inhumane conditions. Manufacturing those devices is another area of concern since workers in electronics factories are often subjected to unsafe conditions and low wages. Many leading tech companies are complicit in these practices, but some are making strides toward greater accountability.

When we buy our electronic devices from ethical companies, we can challenge a system that dehumanizes workers who God loves. We can contribute to a more just and equitable technology industry by choosing devices from companies that prioritize worker safety and ethical sourcing. Also, we can extend the lifespans of our devices to minimize e-waste and reduce the demand for new raw materials. Recycling programs offered by reputable companies help make sure that old devices are dismantled responsibly. That prevents toxic materials from polluting the environment. 

Here are some ways to choose electronics wisely: 

• Extend the life of your devices through repairs rather than replacements.
• Choose brands that commit to ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
• Recycle old electronics responsibly to minimize e-waste.

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Empower small businesses and local communities.

The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” God cares about community and hospitality – and when we invest in local economies, we can create opportunities for everyone to succeed. Supporting small businesses and local producers not only helps economically but also strengthens communities.

Locally sourced products often have smaller environmental footprints than products that are made far away. Also, small businesses often reinvest in their communities, creating jobs and building relationships. When we choose local businesses rather than worldwide corporations, we can support economic systems that are based in fairness and mutual care. 

Here are some ways to empower small businesses and local communities: 

• Prioritize local or small-scale producers over large corporations, such as by buying handmade goods, shopping at farmers’ markets, or supporting family-owned stores.
• Share resources within your community, such as by participating in clothing or tool exchanges.
• Celebrate craftsmanship by choosing handmade or custom items over mass-produced products.

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Reflect God’s generosity by giving more and buying less.

Jesus urges us in Matthew 10:8: “... Freely you have received; freely give.” At its core, ethical shopping often means choosing quality over quantity, giving more than we take, and considering the needs of others above our own convenience. God calls us to create space in our lives to care for others and to honor him in our daily decisions. Ethical shopping can help us grow in holiness as we reflect God’s kingdom values in this consumer-driven world and use our resources to help others. Generosity doesn’t mean neglecting our needs but rethinking what we truly need. It challenges our materialistic culture and reminds us to prioritize people over possessions and eternal values over temporary trends.

Here are some ways to give more and buy less:

• Simplify our lives.
• Prioritize meaningful purchases and stop buying what’s not truly meaningful to us.
• Share our resources with people in need.

In conclusion, shopping ethically involves putting God’s love into action every time we spend money on products. As Romans 12:2 encourages us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Ethical shopping challenges this fallen world’s unjust practices and shows others a powerful testimony of our commitment to Jesus. So, let’s try our best to make every purchase a reflection of our faith.

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