Business venture with unbeliever

Ben Collyer said:

I met him today, he showed me all the paperwork that shows his businesses are registered and legit, and also clarified that he isnt into anything illegal, people just assume he is because he is succesfull

he offered me a $40,000 investment in exchange for 51% of the business and showed that the funds come from a legitimate source

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In that case, you retain the position of influence, and a company is not a partnership as such, but you are selling a share of the profit stream, growth, and election of leadership. Only I would caution that despite you have the 51% share, he still has an opportunity to influence your decisions psychologically because of his relationship and perceived right to receive return on investment. His philosophy might not be so natural or even comfortable to you, and that might entice you to concede to his influence against what God expects of you. That would bring a spiritual judgement upon you and the company. As long as you are clear in your role as the company director, and do not get into some foolish thinking like "it's his turn now because I got my own way last time", then remember that you are the one with The Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:15-16) and it is by not giving in to the world's pressure against Him that we remain justified in God's sight (James 4:4, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:30).

Also, keep in mind that a second round of funding will dilute the share distribution, and no one person would then have a controlling share.

Ben Collyer said:

Is it feasible for a christian to become a shareholder in a startup company with an unbeliever who is involved with illegal ventures in his other investments? even if the company you two make is legal?

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Anything is possible. Is it wise? No.

In fact, even if you remove any connection with faith or Christianity, this isn't wise.

If you were a complete pagan, and didn't care what G-d said about anything, I would advise you to not go into business with someone who you know is engaged in anything questionable.

Stop for a second..... Step out of your shoes, and put yourself in the place of an investigator. You get information that Bobby Businessman, is doing some illegal activities.

What's the first thing you do? First thing, step one? You investigate ALL of his businesses, not just the one in question, and you investigate ALL of his business partners, not just the ones in question.

If you are involved with Bobby, and a company run by Bobby...... guess what you get to do? You get to have your butt investigated by everyone. Not only that, but if they KNOW Bobby has dirty business over somewhere else, they are going to ASSUME that you are dirty too.

Then, if you accidentally lie to them, or if you admit you knew he was engaged in illegal activity, they may toss your butt in jail.

Let us even assume for a moment, that you are cleared of all charges, will it matter? Most people are going to assume you are corrupt too.... because after all, you were involved with Bobby Businessman whose in prison.

Remember Bernie Madoff? His son, Mark Madoff, killed himself. You think it didn't have to do with the fact that everywhere Mark went, everyone knew him as the son of Bernie the Ponzi scheme guy? Even though Mark was cleared of doing anything wrong. But his reputation was destroyed forever.

So to answer your question, yeah, you can go into business with a non-believer. Yeah, you can run a business that is purely legal and on the tracks.

Is it wise? No. I don't think so. Not a good idea.

Ben Collyer said:

because he has offered to invest money which I don't have, and I want to improve my financial situation

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Are you absolutely certain the money he is willing to invest is money that is rightfully his? Put your stock in God and not in the thief. I had a so called business venture with a man who offered to front the money and do the business end while I did the work. Our potential after two years was to be over 1 million dollars and we saw it happening withing the first month. The problem was he got greedy before the first 5000.00 was warm in the bank and started spending it under the guise of "investments". What he was doing was literally robbing Peter to pay Paul, or actually, me to buy his girlfriend a lot of nice gifts. When I finally got wise and locked down the work until he paid up he went and found another gullible like minded "Christian-trust-too-much-demand-too-little" and had him suckered in for almost $10,000.00 before the other Christian wised up. Unfortunately, the people who paid the most in his scheme was our wives. I found out too late that we were his kind of marks and we found out too late that if it is too good to be true, it probably is. I have since learned that the people you can trust are God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and my wife. All others pay cash up front and when the job is done I will give you the proceeds after taxes are paid. I pray you find your helper in this venture, but if you even suspect this person earned what he or she has for you dishonestly, run. Run like the wind. Run like the wind on fire.

Ben Collyer said:

I met him today, he showed me all the paperwork that shows his businesses are registered and legit, and also clarified that he isnt into anything illegal, people just assume he is because he is succesfull

he offered me a $40,000 investment in exchange for 51% of the business and showed that the funds come from a legitimate source

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he'd have controlling interest, he's got a bad reputation from people who have good business reputation, he's not a believer where he might be able to be trusted in his word..

I wouldn't do it. He might have you laundering illegally gained monies and without controlling interest you couldn't say no because he owns you. People get reputations in their respective business communities for a reason and your risking everything..

Not in a million years.

Taking on a business partner who is involved in illegal ventures is a horrible idea. For a Christian, it's a worse idea.

Ben Collyer said:

Is it feasible for a christian to become a shareholder in a startup company with an unbeliever who is involved with illegal ventures in his other investments? even if the company you two make is legal?

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Nothing wrong with doing it. But that doesn’t mean that it is a foolish endeavor.

Criminals are always looking for ways to legitimize the proceeds of their crimes (money laundering) and a business fronted by an honest person is the perfect means.

Silly Uncle Wayne said:

Nothing wrong with doing it. But that doesn’t mean that it is a foolish endeavor.

Criminals are always looking for ways to legitimize the proceeds of their crimes (money laundering) and a business fronted by an honest person is the perfect means.

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what do you mean nothing wrong with it?

Money laundering is illegal! This man would be risking prison for goodness sake. "I didn't know" is rarely a good excuse to commit crimes..

Ben Collyer said:

I met him today, he showed me all the paperwork that shows his businesses are registered and legit, and also clarified that he isnt into anything illegal, people just assume he is because he is succesfull

he offered me a $40,000 investment in exchange for 51% of the business and showed that the funds come from a legitimate source

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Hi Ben,

51% means he owns the company.

Ben Collyer said:

because he has offered to invest money which I don't have, and I want to improve my financial situation

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Amos 3:3 How can two walk together, lest they be agreed?

2 Cor 6: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.


Don't do it. Pray for the right opportunity. You can get ensnared in his business dealings as a partner, even if you didn't know what was going on. It isn't worth it.

Serving Zion said:

In that case, you retain the position of influence, and a company is not a partnership as such, but you are selling a share of the profit stream, growth, and election of leadership. Only I would caution that despite you have the 51% share, he still has an opportunity to influence your decisions psychologically because of his relationship and perceived right to receive return on investment. His philosophy might not be so natural or even comfortable to you, and that might entice you to concede to his influence against what God expects of you. That would bring a spiritual judgement upon you and the company. As long as you are clear in your role as the company director, and do not get into some foolish thinking like "it's his turn now because I got my own way last time", then remember that you are the one with The Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:15-16) and it is by not giving in to the world's pressure against Him that we remain justified in God's sight (James 4:4, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:30).

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A good point here. Yes, wait until he "reminds" you that he invested the money in you and you wouldn't be where you are today without him. It sounds as if he expects to play on you being a Christian in the future.

Hazelelponi said:

what do you mean nothing wrong with it?

Money laundering is illegal! This man would be risking prison for goodness sake. "I didn't know" is rarely a good excuse to commit crimes..

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There is nothing wrong with going into business with someone a bit dodgy, just because he's going into business with someone honest doesn't mean that he will use the company for money laundering. The Bible doesn't forbid the practice, but it does warn against foolish ventures, hence my points about money laundering.

It is NEVER wise to be involved in dishonest relationships.

What is your motivation ... only money? Then who do you really serve?

I suggest that you take this issue to the Lord in prayer.

Ben Collyer said:

because he has offered to invest money which I don't have, and I want to improve my financial situation

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Still would be a bad business decision and that scripture is full of proverbs about making foolish decisions.

So basically your investor would have control of your company?