by Mark L. Russell

In my last column, I discussed the complexities of economic growth in India, particularly how it has opened the door to gender-selective abortion, which in turn, is producing a gender-imbalanced society ripe for increased sex trafficking.

Priscilla Center, Northeast India. One of several Set1Free WorldCrafts artisan groups in India.

This is an ugly picture and flies in the face of what most of us think when we imagine economic progress. The good news is that once we recognize a problem, we can start to develop Christian responses to it.

Here are a few ways we can make a difference for India right where we are.

Think
We need to think differently and more deeply about these problems. In my experience I have noticed that people tend to develop a quick negative bias against a country or people group when they hear of inhumane activities like gender-selective abortion. It is obviously understandable to recoil in disgust, but we need to move beyond that initial reaction.

We may be tempted to boycott India, but that would be an improper reaction, which would do little to solve the problem. Rather, we need to support economic progress in India. India still needs jobs for her people to prosper. They still need our support. We need to think “pro-India” not against her.

Instead, we must begin to think in terms of long-term change. There is not a quick-fix solution. The conditions that have given rise to gender-selective abortion in India developed out of centuries-old cultural understandings and beliefs. (Remember, gender-selective abortion is illegal in India. This is not a legal issue, but a worldview, or heart, issue.) Superficial, knee-jerk responses will not aid in sustainable change. India needs committed, thoughtful people willing to engage the hearts and minds of her citizens.

Buy
Believe it or not, we can buy for a change. There are scores of good, Christian organizations that are working to combat the social ills and sins of India, particularly in the sex industry. For example, WorldCrafts sells products that ultimately provide dignified employment to women leaving sexual exploitation. A list of some highlighted groups can be found at http://www.worldcrafts.org/set1free.asp.

The next time you are looking for a gift for yourself or someone else, think about buying from one of these organizations, knowing that your purchase will contribute toward economic progress that is accompanied by a broader understanding of the way the world works and what God desires of us.

Give
Don’t buy something you don’t need. In some cases, you can support business-as-mission (BAM) enterprises by making a financial donation.

Relying purely on business profits puts them in direct competition with people who do not value human dignity nor care to offer complementary services and benefits to their employees. A simple gift to a BAM company can go a long way in supporting counseling, medical care, job training, and Bible teaching for local employees.

Preach
Some people believe that the gospel and economics are separate and that the workplace is no place for faith. I beg to differ. The situation in India highlights the fact that we need to preach the gospel always and everywhere. Economic progress, without the life-transforming power of the gospel, is not redemptive; in fact, it can multiply sin.

Leaving people in poverty and misery is not an option for the Christian either. We must be on the forefront of socio-economic development. Therefore, we should not be tempted into blocking off business and economics from the church. When the church goes to work and goes to market, she needs to take the gospel with her. Lives are at stake.

Pray
Now that you know more about the situation in India, you have something to pray about. Take two minutes right now and pray for India and her girls.

Mark Russell is a widely respected voice in the missional community. He has lived in Russia, Chile, and Germany, and has traveled to more than 70 countries to carry out a variety of business, educational, humanitarian, and religious projects. He is the author of The Missional Entrepreneur.