I would agree with much of what you have said. Particularly with the view that a Christian’s view should be towards heaven and in doing so, give preference to that which will be rewarded in heaven even at the expense of that which is profitable in the world.
However, to say that slavery is evil (sin) is to take a step further than the gospel or NT is willing to go. While quite possible God’s intent ... going beyond God’s stated word, is not a comfortable place for me.
Call slavery unnecessary, call it unwise or foolish, call it ill conceived, call it a path unto temptation even .... but to ADD TO THE BIBLE (Rev 22:18) appears to be a dangerous thing and is not a step that I am willing to take.
>to say that slavery is evil (sin) is to take a step further than the gospel or NT is willing to go.<
I did not say that N.T. slavery, when examining all that was required of both parties, was sin, and if it were then the N.T. certainly would be willing to say so. What i am saying is that
1. The command to keep slavery was not a moral imperative like laws against idolatry, stealing, illicit sex partners, etc., but was used to subject enemies, as well as (mainly) regulating and ameliorating an integral and established part of a cultural economic system. And which, taken together with other aspects, worked quite well for Israel, and thus ultimately for all.
2. Under the N.T. the totality of commands regarding slavery radically reformed it, and while slaves were only recommended to obtain freedom, and owners not outright commanded to give them such, yet it is seen working toward such, with slavery being left as a cultural appendage that the fuller outworking of Holy Christian love could jettison when such opportunity enabled. In contrast (in case any pro homosexuals are trolling), purely moral laws of the Old Testament, versus judicial and civil legislation, are affirmed and even made stricter.
The very fact that slavery, even without the awful imagery recent history left us, seems so antithetic to the overall Christian doctrine of love of neighbor, makes abolition a goal, with its regulated allowed form works toward such.
Today, if China was a slave state as Rome was, i can see how the church treat it the same way, with the Christian ethos of love for God and man working toward the same effect.