Wealth Creation for Wholistic Transformation

As the CCT has been working these last five years to foster a social enterprise movement in the Valley, we have become more convinced than ever that our theological understanding of business and exchange is crucial. The following Wealth Creation Manifesto is by no means a perfect document, nor even as comprehensive as summary of foundational beliefs as is necessary. But with so much default vilification of business in faith systems, so much misunderstanding of the purpose of business and its role in the Kingdom of God, we see the need to build stronger foundations. After having helped catalyze many new social enterprises, and as we get ready to launch the Valley’s first ever Social Enterprise Academy (January 2018), we are committed to sharing and exploring those principles that can keep us anchored to an approach that reflects the greater glory of God.

Background

The Lausanne Movement and BAM Global organized a Global Consultation on The Role of Wealth Creation for Holistic Transformation, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in March 2017. About 30 people from 20 nations participated, primarily from the business world, and from church, missions and academia. The findings will be published in several papers and a book, as well as an educational video. This Manifesto conveys the essentials of our deliberations before and during the Consultation.

Affirmations

1. Wealth creation is rooted in God the Creator, who created a world that flourishes with abundance and diversity.
2. We are created in God’s image, to co-create with Him and for Him, to create products and services for the common good.
3. We are created in God’s image, to co-create with Him and for Him, to create products and services for the common good.
4. Wealth creation is a holy calling, and a God-given gift, which is commended in the Bible.
5. Wealth creators should be affirmed by the Church, and equipped and deployed to serve in the marketplace among all peoples and nations.
6. Wealth hoarding is wrong, and wealth sharing should be encouraged, but there is no wealth to be shared unless it has been created.
7. There is a universal call to generosity, and contentment is a virtue, but material simplicity is a personal choice, and involuntary poverty should be alleviated.
8. The purpose of wealth creation through business goes beyond giving generously, although that is to be commended; good business has intrinsic value as a means of material provision and can be an agent of positive transformation in society.
9. Business has a special capacity to create financial wealth, but also has the potential to create different kinds of wealth for many stakeholders, including social, intellectual, physical and spiritual wealth.
10. Wealth creation through business has proven power to lift people and nations out of poverty.
11. Wealth creation must always be pursued with justice and a concern for the poor, and should be sensitive to each unique cultural context.
12. Creation care is not optional. Stewardship of creation and business solutions to environmental challenges should be an integral part of wealth creation through business.

Appeal

We present these affirmations to the Church worldwide, and especially to leaders in business, church, government, and academia.

• We call the church to embrace wealth creation as central to our mission of holistic transformation of peoples and societies.
• We call for fresh, ongoing efforts to equip and launch wealth creators to that very end.
• We call wealth creators to perseverance, diligently using their God-given gifts to serve God and people.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam – For the greater glory of God