Lean In | Why Christians Should Care About Fair Trade

In this week’s conversation on Revelation 18, Scott and Garrett explore the fall of Babylon and what it reveals about unjust economic systems, cultural blind spots, and Christian responsibility.

They discuss how Babylon represents oppressive empires—like ancient Rome—and how its downfall exposes the dangers of excessive wealth, greed, and exploiting others for profit. The episode focuses especially on:

Key Themes

Cultural vs. personal sin: How entire societies can participate in harmful practices without realizing it.

Unjust economic systems: Revelation 18’s critique of luxury built on the backs of exploited workers.

Fair trade: What it means, why it matters, and how Christians can be more aware of their purchasing habits.

Modern examples: From clothing and coffee to Amazon, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola, the hosts reflect on ethical ratings and consumer responsibility.

Practical steps: Shopping locally, buying secondhand, researching companies, and taking small steps toward more ethical consumption.

People as commodities: A discussion on how college athletics—and even the workplace—can treat people as products rather than image-bearers of God.

Christian leadership: How employers and church leaders can model dignity, fairness, and care in the way they treat workers.

This episode invites Christians to reflect on where their money goes, how they benefit from unjust systems, and how they can begin making small but meaningful changes that align with God’s heart for justice and human dignity.