Trade is good. In the absence of coercion, two parties will not trade unless both believe they will benefit.

The principle holds for individuals, companies, regions and countries. One trading partner may benefit relatively more than the other party, but both are better off than they were before the trade. If that were not the case, the trade would never occur.

International trade allows countries to specialize in products in which they have a comparative advantage. Nations produce products which they can produce most profitably, and trade for products which would be less profitable to produce. Both trading countries will enjoy a higher standard of living because of trade. Trading will move both countries closer to abundance. But all individuals will not benefit; some will be harmed.

Cellphones that are produced in China, for sale in the United States, benefit both countries. The factories produce jobs and a higher standard of living for the Chinese. U.S. consumers pay less for the same phone and may spend remaining funds on their hearts' desire—their standard of living has improved. U.S. workers who would have produced the phones are worse off.

By almost any measure, global trade is collapsing. China is the second largest trading nation in the world. Chinese exports fell 25.4 percent and imports fell 13.8 percent over the last 12 months. Chinese imports have fallen 16 straight months. U.S. export prices fell 6.0 percent and import prices fell 6.1 percent compared to the previous 12 months. All international shipping indices are at or near record lows. Again, trading creates a higher standard of living and abundance. The drop in world trade causes concerns.

In the kingdom of God, we have traded our old way of life in the flesh for our new way of life in the Spirit. Before we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, the enemy had authority to steal, kill and destroy. He could steal our peace, kill our joy, and destroy our hope among other things. As citizens in the kingdom, as sons and daughters of the Most High, we are promised an abundant life. 

"The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10, MEV).

To experience the kingdom life in this world, we must do what He says. We should come to Him regularly and know His Word. He should be our Lord in action and not just in confession. We are promised the stability that can withstand the storms of life. If we abide in Him and in His word, then we are promised that whatever we ask we will receive.

"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?  Whoever comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show whom he is like:  He is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, but could not shake it for it was founded on rock" (Luke 6:46-48, MEV).

"If you remain in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7, MEV).

For an abundant life in this world and eternal life in the next, we need to make a divine trade. We have to die to ourselves and live for Christ. We should be able to say, as Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, MEV).

Dr. James R. Russell is professor of economics and chair of the Undergraduate College of Business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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