Van Duzer's Ideas Under Biblical Light

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TOMS is famous worldwide for making altruism a selling point. The premise of the company is that for every shoe bought they give away a show to a poor family in a third world country. The idea behind it could be any more perfect. It’s the greatest marriage between profit and Christianity. The sociological consequences behind it may not perfect but these are not under scrutiny in Van Dufer’s and Monsma’s papers. Does this mean we have found the perfect model? Perhaps not.

An economical consequence of TOMS selling model is the disruption of local markets’ protagonists, mainly producers. While buyers receive joyfully the free clothing, local producers find themselves useless. Although this consequence is not as obvious at first, we may assume it is obvious for TOMS’s analysts. What happened then? Did TOMS decide to ignore the disruption of local economies?

According to Mankiw TOMS is acting out of self-interest and no one should be surprised. According to Monsma “God also calls his people to act justly, in the economic sphere of life …” According to the Proverbs 29:7 “A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” Can we conclude then that TOMS is an evil corporation manipulating masses? That’s is up to everyone. We can decide, as Christians, however to realize that the understanding the economic sphere has of Christianity is not only minimal but also limited. In economic terms, we as Christians have the advantage.

I do not wish to contradict myself and so recalling the most important conclusions should be recapped. I believe that Van Dufer fails to follow Biblical teachings in his critique because he does not explicitly call for a united front of Christian business men. Hence my final conclusion is to call for indeed that: a united group, or groups, of Christian businessmen who lead according to Biblical teachings in an inclusive market that looks for the survival of all and not the survival of those who know the Bible.