When it comes to Christians doing business there inevitably, at one time or another, a conflict of interest arises, things that disturb the conscience, right or wrong. The conscience questions itself, tearing the Christian apart with an inner agitation. There are always lingering doubts, did I do it God’s way? Am I being true to my faith? How will I be judged as a result of my actions? Will others see me as a hypocrite?
In today’s cutthroat business world, where the line between right and wrong is so thin, one wonders if it is possible for a Christian to be a good businessman without compromising faith and morals. The tactics employed by the world make almost everything legal, but for the Christian this has only made decision making more difficult. What was dishonest, dirty and unacceptable just a few years ago has become praiseworthy today. Just take a look at the language being used today and the movies being shown, what was disgusting and inappropriate has now become the norm and it is in this world that we as Christians have to make a living without compromising our values. .
A young man who had just entered the business world once told me that he couldn’t do business without taking off his Christian jacket. The implication of these words was that he could not do business without cheating, lying, or stealing. If, in the course of your life, you have seen a mentor or someone you respect doing business (and I use the word here with caution) cheating, lying, or stealing, then naturally you think it is quite all right to use the same methods. I used the word ‘business’ sparingly in the previous sentence because I don’t think cheating, lying, and stealing is business. These things are an affront to most businessmen, these things are sin. I want to clarify here, that making a profit is not a sin because it is written:
Thus knows the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God who teaches you for your benefit, who guides you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17)
The Lord will not teach us to sin. The Bible is full of people, holy and righteous people of God who made a living doing business and making a profit. Abraham was a successful farmer, soldier, and businessman. So was Job. Solomon sent ships to trade and barter in foreign lands and even imported war chariots from Egypt, Israel’s traditional enemy. Businesses should not be left in the hands of a wicked few, but everyone can and should participate.
When Elisha multiplied the widow’s oil and all the jars were full we read what he said to her:
So she came and told the man of God. And he said: Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and live you and your children from the rest (2 Kings 4:7).
In other words, make money and withdraw.
In the New Testament we read of Matthew and Zacchaeus, both successful tax collectors, and of Paul, a tent maker and seller. Then there is also Lydia, a seller of purple fabrics.
Tax collecting was a type of franchise bought from the Roman authorities, but most tax collectors in the time of Jesus were seen as dishonest “cheaters” by the general public, but this had more to do with the way where the business of collecting taxes was carried on. carried out instead of the business itself. Jesus, who spoke to and visited the tax collectors, had no condemnation for his dealings, in fact, he commended Zacchaeus for his decision to be honest in his dealings. Tax collection was a necessary occupation, as were the military and politicking.
If we read Proverbs 31, one of the things that makes a wife virtuous is her ability to do business.
Consider a field, and buy it; with the fruit of his hands he plants a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16)
And again:
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and she delivers belts to the merchant. (Proverbs 31:24)
When it comes to business and profit, it’s not so much the ‘what’ (yes, there are certain businesses to be avoided) but the ‘how’ that causes concern. Living in the gray area between good and evil is not enough, we need to be firm in our choice to be Christian regardless of the implications it may have for business. God, in his wisdom, has given us guidelines in his Word on how we should do business, what business we should avoid, and what the consequences will be if we transgress his law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, filth, lewdness,
Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, emulation, anger, strife, sedition, heresy,
Envy, murder, drunkenness, orgies, and the like: of which I told you before, as I also told you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Anything that encourages any of the above should be avoided at all costs. In his prayer for a successful life, Jabez prayed:
And Jabez invoked the God of Israel, saying: Oh, if you would truly bless me, and enlarge my border, and that your hand be with me, and keep me from evil, so that it does not afflict me! ! And God granted him what he asked for. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
Jabez asked God to keep him from evil so that he would not cause harm to others, and God did as he asked.
And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name will welcome me.
But whoever offends one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea.
Woe to the world for offenses! because it is necessary that offenses come; but woe to that man through whom the scandal comes! (Matthew 18:5-7)
In your business dealings, do not allow any child or person to come to harm, as you will be held responsible.
In Habakkuk there is a list of things that could get in the way of godly business, things to avoid, even if it means passing up a good deal.
Yes too, because he rebels with wine, he is a proud man, who does not stay at home, who magnifies his desire like hell, and is like death, and cannot be satisfied, but instead gathers all nations, and gather together all the peoples to him. . (Hab.2:5)
There is no greater trap for an entrepreneur than pride. Pride led to the fall of the prince of angels. He led to the downfall of King Saul and Nebuchadnezzar, clouds judgment and stifles wisdom, leaving you vulnerable and at the mercy of the enemy.
Will not all these take a parable against him, and a mocking proverb against him, and say: Woe to him who increases what is not his! how long? and who is covered with thick mud! (Hab.2:6)
Along with pride, we can place unpaid debts as another reason for the ruin of entrepreneurs. ‘Mud’ refers to pledges or promises to pay debts and promissory notes that were written on clay in those days, and ‘thick mud’ refers to the abundance of debts that pile up and go unpaid.
Woe to him who covets a bad covetousness for his house, to set up his nest, to free himself from the power of evil! (Hab.2:9)
Along with unpaid debts comes greed, a drive to earn as much as possible so that one can, through wealth, gain a position of power. Wealth becomes a source of security, as Proverbs 18:11 says: Wealth becomes his city behind whose walls he will feel safe. As Christian businessmen, our security is in the Lord.
Strong tower is the name of Jehovah; the righteous runs into it, and he is saved. (Proverbs 18:10)
Woe to him who builds a city with blood, and founds a city with iniquity! (Hab.2:12)
After greed comes contempt for others. Building a business on the blood of others will have consequences. Your methods will determine your outcome. Jesus warned:
Then Jesus said to him: Put your sword back in its place; For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matthew 26:52)
There is always someone stronger or more ruthless than you. His approach to business will determine his approach to you.
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, who brings him the skin, and also intoxicates him, so that you can see his nakedness! (Hab.2:15)
Cheating and cheating speaks of theft, not business. Forcing people into situations, whether through alcohol or coercion or blackmail, speaks of someone who is unable to do the right thing, unable to be a businessman. ‘Help one another’ tells us the apostle Paul, and He will help you.
Opportunities abound, we just have to be attentive to them. Do his business within God’s parameters, and he will send people to him, those who need his help and those who can help him. Certainly within most congregations there are people who can and will help you. Just keep your focus on God. He is the one who ‘teaches us to profit’, the one who hurts and rewards.
Do not be disappointed; God cannot be mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
The rewards you reap are up to you.
Doing business is not the problem. As Christians we must remember that we are subject to a higher law than the world. We bear a name higher than our own. That said, we must not be naive in our dealings. The world will quite easily and without a second thought take advantage of any unsuspecting and unsuspecting ‘do-gooders’. Business is business and that means making a profit. Pay attention to the words of Jesus:
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be cunning as serpents and simple as doves. (Matthew 10:16)