Question:
I have browsed this board for years, but only posted a couple times back in 2002 so to let you all know who I am, My name is Jonathan Enns, I was born in Brazil, and lived as a MK there for most of my life. I now live in Nova Scotia, Canada and am involved in the Music Ministry playing guitar at 2 local youthgroups. I consider myself an "Apologetic" and hope to start some sort of program within the local youthgroups ministering to the local area. Career-wise I am an Entrepreneur and have started 3 businesses in the last 3 years, the latest of which I need some advise on.
Recently me and a friend of mine envoked on a Business venture. He, is not a believer, and I must admit that at the time we decided we were going to start it up I was not really thinking what the issues would be with a Believer partnering with an unbeliever.
We started a venture called S&E Imports which will be, if we finish setting it up a small store in a local mall selling Imported Foods and Beverages, Specifically International Candy, and Brazilian Drinks and Food you cant get in Canada, as well as international soccer jerseys and clothing.
The first time I realized that there may be trouble is when I realized my Distributor also dealt with alcohol related products, and I made clear to my partner that I didnt want anything to do with alocohol retail and he respected my decision, even though personally he has no problem with it.
We are now well under way to launching the business and I decided to call my Father to enlighten him on the issue. I knew that he personally did not agree with this kind of partnership, but I wasnt expecting the reaction I received from him. As soon as I told him I was starting another business, a partnership he unleashed a large speech so as that I never was able to even let him know the name or nature of the business, but it did make me think about what kind of trouble I may be getting into. He told me any partnership with an unbeliever is automatically a sin, but I do not 100% agree with that. I was hoping for some advice.
Pal Wrote:
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord. 'And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' Says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
First off, the business I am in is not a business in which I am automatically being pulled into "unrighteouse acts". OF course with any business, I could choose to take that route. (Ex, selling alcoholic beverages, which could be considered by many a sin as you are associating yourself with drinking and what it stands for). As for my partner, although he does not personally believe what I do, He respects what it is. I personally know that with my current relationship with God I can use discernment in making the decisions, and if ever me and my partner come into a disagreement in which I feel his side woudl cause me to sin, I can exit the partnership simply by signing a piece of paper.
Is what I am doing "unrighteous"? IS not paul referring to specifically being bound together in sin? Ex partnering up with someone to launder money, or to partner up with them in a business which is morally against my beliefs.
Although Spiritually we have nothing in common, we can serve eachother in a business, as long as I do not let the business control me. Would not this be the same as being employed by an unbeliever?
EX. Employer is an unbeliever and asks me to do something that I believe is against what the Bible teachers. I am currently yoked to my employer and agree to do what he/she asks of me in exchange for a salary. I can do as he asks and be in sin, or I can at any time refuse to do what they ask, but they then have the right to fire me, or I can quit.
EX. Partner is an unbeliever and suggests an idea which I believe is against what the Bible teaches. We are partnered 50/50 so that no decision can pass without the other's approval. We can talk it over and if He respects what I feel is wrong then we can leave it at that. If he insists to pursue that particular idea then I can either compromise my beliefs and agree with him on it, or exit the partnership, or he can exit the partnership and I can continue the business as a sole proprietor.
Is not a partnership a "joint participation toward a common goal"? If our common goal is sinful or brings on the appearance of sin then yes, it would be a sin to be in partnership. If our common goal is in no way promoting anything sinful then how could it be a sin to be in the partnership?
I should do everything for the Glory of God. Could I not glorify God in the opportunity I can talk to customers in a secular environment and even share to them the gospel? Could I not even use this extraordinary opportunity to witness to my partner?
Yes, it is easier for me to be pulled down from a ladder than to pull an unbeliever up with me, but If I ask God for strength and wisdom, could I not be a posotive influence on my partner? Considering that our relationship is not that similar to a marriage, where the partners are intimate, and they should be best friends and should be one. I am not best friends with my partner, and I am not emotionally attached to him in a way in which he could influence my discernment on certain issues.
Please help me with this issue. I believe that It can be done without sinning, but I would really like to study this issue more from the Bible and pray more to God to see if I am, in fact in sin.
Thanks
Answer:
I don't really see why it would be a problem, unless ethical issues got in the way. For example, you don't want to sell alcohol. He might say he's okay with it now but once you've gotten well under way with the business, he may start to push the idea. Maybe, maybe not. But I don't think working with him as a business partner is a sin, at all. I don't think it'd be a sin to sell alcohol, either, but I do know some people feel strongly about that. A friend of mine was "asked" to leave his church because they began serving wine at the restaraunt he owned.
Anyway, alcohol's not the deal with this. I don't consider a business partnership being "yoked" with someone else. You just work with him. However, when it comes to making decisions for the business together, try to think of ethical issues that might come up and whether or not they would get in the way of your partnership.
Answer:
I just want to find some really good backing for this from the Bible, as my father feels strongly on this issue.
Answer:
Originally Posted by johonbravo I just want to find some really good backing for this from the Bible, as my father feels strongly on this issue. You've already got biblical backing. You provided it.