Twenty-four losers and only one winner; that’s how it works in the popular television show ‘The Bachelor,’ now in its 13th season. And that is the way most people see their own plight. If someone wins, that means I’m the loser. There is only one prom queen and king, only one valedictorian, only one captain of the squad, only one president of the company, only one senior pastor, and only one gold medalist in a particular sport. This is referred to as a ‘zero-sum’ game in economics. That is, your gain is my loss, and the sum of the two is zero with no net gain. The implication is that ‘why would I want someone to gain, such as being promoted at work, while it simultaneously means either my demotion or at best, no advancement for me?’ I suggest this view should by and large be dismissed.

I am writing this article in Shanghai where I and nine undergraduates are first-hand seeing the negative effects of trade between the U.S. and China. Hundreds of Chinese are working in plants manufacturing goods for West Michigan companies to be exported to the U.S. This exporting of jobs to China, India, Vietnam, and elsewhere, is what aggravates many Americans, giving them personal justification for their opposition to the expansion of global trade. This opposition, to some degree, is shared by President Obama and made evident in his first national address where he emphatically and consistently communicated the theme of ‘buy American.’ I anticipate that the ongoing severe world-wide economic downturn will cause both industrialized and developing nations to rethink their trade policies and push them toward more mercantilist and nationalistic practices.

Former President Bill Clinton had it partly right when he said in December of 2000 “The more complex societies get, and the more complex the networks of interdependence within and beyond community and national borders get, the more people are forced in their own interests to find non-zero-sum solutions. That is, win–win solutions instead of win–lose solutions.” This corresponds to modern trade theory which in essence says that even though a nation is less efficient than all other countries in the production of all goods and services, mutually beneficial trade can take place between nations. Thus, trade with China, India, and Japan, need not be feared, because at least theoretically and in the long run, both parties to trade benefit.

Why are we afraid to give others credit, applaud those who succeed around us, work enthusiastically and sincerely for the advancement of others, give up personal territory or projects for the common good, and engage in fair trade with other nations? It is because human sinful nature gravitates toward zero-sum game thinking and action. Psychologists use the term, ‘social trip,’ to describe a situation in which a group of people act to obtain short-term personal gains which in the long run lead to a loss for the group as a whole. Why should I even acknowledge your accomplishments or good ideas when it might mean less of the pie for me? Why would I even consider ‘turning the other cheek,’ giving to the poor, not requiring a payback for my noteworthy deeds, or sacrifice my life for those who don’t even know me, if in the short-term, gain is not evident?” All of these appear to be losing propositions.

John the Baptist had it right when he said, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.” His purpose of ‘preparing the way’ for another greater than him, and his eventual martyrdom, did not reduce John’s significance but actually increased his importance and transformed his earthly role into an eternal legacy. Without John the Baptist and his acts of selflessness, the Kingdom could not have come for all ages to enjoy. Subsequently, the New Testament church understood that ‘holding things in common’ was more important than sole-proprietorship.

I believe we need to resist any tendency toward isolationism. This movement toward autarky could mean the cutting off trade ties or refusing to be in fellowship with other Christians. Remember, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (I Corinthians 12:7). Denying yourself, carrying your cross, applauding others’ accomplishments, and being happy for Molly, all appear not to be in your self-interest. However, when my interests become what Jesus is interested in, my life takes on more eternal meaning here and now, and in the background, and without my knowledge, He is preparing a place for me, founded on those acts of love, mercy, and justice that I have engaged in because I love Him.