Is it fair?

Today's #40acts is about using fair trade. To help they have quoted one of my favourite verses from Micah:

 "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 (NIV)

Just after I read today's task I worked through my normal devotional pattern and came across words from Leviticus (if I'm honest not a book that I turn to regularly !) and there were words about ensuring that people act with justice especially the workman and his pay.

There was a time when I received a document from my church administrator which argued against the use of fair trade coffee. It was during the time when, if we're honest, most fair trade products tasted pretty bad but made us feel good by using them. So I read the document, which was quite compelling, and then asked him to buy a bulk tin of Nescafé. When it arrived we decanted the Nescafé out and replaced it with fair trade coffee. No one ever commented!

I know what some people will think - deceptive, sly - and they would be right. I don't defend my actions for my sake but for the sake of the labourer who is worth their pay.

There are high street shops that I refuse to buy from because their fair trade track record is very poor. There are others I would avoid if possible as well.

So today's task is maybe something I try to embrace already - why don't you?

Commonwealth

Heard a programme this week about the Commonwealth - it was a bit tongue in cheek fronted by Hardeep Singh (very funny man).

He pointed out all of the worthy things like mutual support while keeping a watchful eye on other less good things like empire building and colonisation of other nations that have no real association or need of an empirical presence.

In these days when we rightly look with suspicion at globalisation and multi national trading is there not a time for a new thinking on commonwealth i.e. a real sharing of common wealth - looking at broad, massive, fair trading, off looking after the most marginalised not only in word but in deed as well of creating funding streams that reach the root of personal need rather than corporate provision.

All sounds laudable ?

But as a member of a global organisation/church it's a challenge - start local and do the best to develop a localised common wealth.