Christian Business: Can a Christian Partner with an Unbeliever?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14 (King James Version)

Even if a few Christians don't agree, nearly all of them don't find any problem applying 2 Corinthians 6:14 to marriage. It is the Bible text often quoted to bolster opposition to the marriage of Christians with unbelievers.

However I think it's not only in marriage that this verse applies. I think it also applies to all other relationships, from employer-employee relationship to business partnership.

So, does that mean a Christian in business must not associate whatsoever with unbelievers?

Doing so is against the other teachings of the Bible.

As believers we are to function as "salt and light" in this decaying and dark world. How can we perform that if we do not collaborate and develop relationships with unbelievers?

I didn't study exegesis (interpretation of a text or a portion of a text) but I think the appropriate stress should not be on the word "unbelievers" but on the phrase "unequally yoked" and the rest of the text.

As you will shortly realize in life, if you haven't realized it yet, there are also appalling Christians.

So, it's also possible that a Christian can be "unequally yoked" with another Christian, a depraved one though.

So, what does "unequally yoked" mean?

The yoke in the Lord's time was a regular everyday contraption used to join oxen together for plowing or hauling. The
oxen were matched as closely as possible so the weight would be distributed equally. The two animals had to be taught to work together, even walking step for pace. The yoke bound them together for the goal of performing a undertaking, and without mutual cooperation it could not be done.

A partnership should be two people pulling in common bond toward matching targets and sharing the burden evenly.

If you read the following verses, you would discern that what's emphasized is - righteousness and unrighteousness can't go as one.

Being "unequally yoked" consequently is when a Christian sins with another person, whether Christian or unbeliever.

I believe a Christian can work together with an unbeliever, provided he doesn't surrender his faith and values.

In this world there are bad Christians and good unbelievers. In some places, some Christians are notorious for their bad work morals.

If I were to choose, I would choose a good unbeliever over a bad Christian as my partner in my Christian business.

However, I would go even farther than that.

If I have a choice, I would look for a good Christian for my business partner!

My "perfect business partner" would be a Christian who sincerely loves God and his neighbors and is, of course, experienced.

How about you? What's your take on this topic?

Article Source: http://www.gamblingarticlessite.net

Jose Anajero invites Christians to visit Christian business consultant Terry Dean's Christian Business in the Internet Age. Find Your Purpose. Fulfill God's Plan. Achieve Financial Freedom.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated