The Sanctification Process and Stewardship in Free Markets

This article reviews the biblical doctrines of sanctification and stewardship and assesses their implications for economic institutional arrangements. Sanctification is one part of the process of salvation and an aspect that requires human cooperation with God. Our freedom to choose has eternal consequences as we become increasingly conformed to the image of Christ. While sanctification occurs in many facets of life, stewardship of resources that God has delegated to us is a responsibility that covers most of our daily lives. Biblical stewards are not only to provide an accounting of the use of God’s resources but also are expected to grow and optimize those resources. Free market institutions provide a favorable environment for sanctification of God’s people in the dimension of material possessions. Restrictions on freedom in markets limit the growth an individual can achieve in this facet of sanctification