Donald McGilchrist, InsideWork’s history maven, sends this correspondence from his study in Colorado.

William Carey published An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. This Enquiry — with a name which is admittedly odd to 21st century readers — appeared in 1792 and is often said to mark the genesis of the modern missions movement.

On page 53, Carey quotes from the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely the Isles shall wait for me; the ships of Tarshish first, to bring my sons from far, their silver, and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord, thy God” (Isaiah 60.9). This seems to imply that in the time of the glorious increase of the church in the latter days, of which the whole chapter is undoubtedly a prophecy, commerce shall subserve the spread of the gospel. The ships of Tarshish were trading vessels which made voyages for goods to various parts; this much therefore must be meant by it, that navigation, especially that which is commercial, shall be one great means of carrying on the work of God; and perhaps it may imply that there shall be a very considerable appropriation of wealth to that purpose.”

Isn’t this encouraging!  “Commerce shall serve the spread of the gospel.” I don’t mean that commerce is somehow ennobled only because it serves as a conduit for the gospel. God, the original worker, gives meaning and dignity to work. Anything done for God’s glory is part of His plan for us, however menial or transient. There is no hierarchy of occupations — the missionary is not superior to the manager.

Nevertheless, it is good to see William Carey’s thinking in this light. I had known for many years that he had a holistic approach to missions, but only recently did I come across this affirmation of the value  he placed on commerce in God’s work to redeem humankind. Apparently, for Carey, the manager who follows Christ is a missionary.