Being fair is part of our calling as Christians

Elaine Storkey urges us to embrace the biblical principle of economic justice

Study passage: Leviticus 25:14

This year marks 50 years of fair trade in Britain. I remember its beginning. Tearcraft was an early fair trade project initiated by Tearfund (a Christian Aid and development organisation), as a way of helping people in Bangladesh following a devastating typhoon. A planeload of Bangladeshi handicrafts was imported into Britain, and church members, keen to respond to the desperate need in Bangladesh, bought these goods. Our church was one of many others who organised a stall to display Tearcraft products. Cocoa and coffee became a key area of trade (though I must admit the earliest coffee tasted grim!). Over the next few years Tearcraft widened the range of its trading into food, crafts, clothing, accessories, gifts and cards. Christmas especially was bonanza time, as it took over church halls and premises and sold to Christmas shoppers.