ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the trajectory of thought and practice within the evangelical tradition in the understanding of money, wealth and business. In the world of business, evangelicals displayed their characteristic pragmatism. Beginning with John Wesley's famous dictum to gain, save and give away as much money as possible, the chapter explores evangelical engagement with Adam Smith's approach to economic and social thought, primarily through the lens of the work of Thomas Chalmers. It then examines some of the evangelical objections to business in the nineteenth century, especially the temptation of luxury and excess, a lack of honesty, and the poor treatment of employees. The chapter analyses some of the attitudes that lay behind the significant evangelical philanthropic ventures of the Victorian era. It concludes with a discussion of the dichotomy that took place in the twentieth century between the traditional philanthropic approach and what is here termed a redistributive tradition, influenced by socialism.
