Economic Organization: Three Reasons

There are at least three reasons why carefully investigating economic organization is helpful to the missionary.

First, it will help in cultural adjustment. In our society, one economic exchange doesn't necessitate another, at least with the same person. Yet in many other societies, our repeated purchases from the same vendor may produce socially obligations with between us and the vender.

Secondly, an understanding of economic organization enables a more relevant presentation of the gospel. Among the Kwakiutl of North America, disputes are settled by outgiving your opponent (called "potlatch"). Giving is interpreted as aggressive negative behavior. How will they understand God giving his Son as a propitiation for man's sin? Jesus used illustrations of farming and business (Matt. 20:1-16). He understood house building and sheep-herding. He also understood the Roman tax system, how the Jews felt about it, and used that knowledge in His teaching.

Finally, an understanding of economic organization will help us plant a solid church. Obviously, the type of building and how it is built should be indigenous. But what will issues like giving look like culturally? Will there be a the tendency toward a "cargo-cult"; i.e. a tribal version of the prosperity doctrine in which evidence of God's blessing is material gain? Will there be a tendency to encapsulate the gospel to certain "in groups" which your group has contact with?