Going into business with a non-christian...

[conflicted]

Greetings all.

My church gave us the monthly news, and inside was an article on your own business. In the article, the writer states that you must not go into business with a non-christian. Is this true?

I was recently approached by a non-christian, who is willing to offer me 50% of his franchise, at no cost to me, and in return I will run the franchise for him (and draw a monthly salary).

This is a great opportunity for me...and I'd just like to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

Thanks guys

 

[KoolJude]

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinth 6:14

Meditate on this verse.
Do some background check on this person.
What is his track record like?
Has he any experience?
Check inot his past ventures and seek out other persons who he may have been in business with, do they have bad reports?

There are some great non christian persons out there, I am affiliated with a few and I did my homework before I was satisfied, so I sugest you do the same too.

 

[conflicted]

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinth 6:14

Meditate on this verse.
Do some background check on this person.
What is his track record like?
Has he any experience?
Check inot his past ventures and seek out other persons who he may have been in business with, do they have bad reports?

There are some great non christian persons out there, I am affiliated with a few and I did my homework before I was satisfied, so I sugest you do the same too.

Thanks for your reply
I know him...he is a friend of my Mother's. He is very trustworthy and has lots of experience.
So I guess it isn't a problem then?

Thanks again!

 

[breatheprayer]

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinth 6:14

Meditate on this verse.
Do some background check on this person.
What is his track record like?
Has he any experience?
Check inot his past ventures and seek out other persons who he may have been in business with, do they have bad reports?

There are some great non christian persons out there, I am affiliated with a few and I did my homework before I was satisfied, so I sugest you do the same too.

I agree with this verse above. You should not be unequally yoked with a person in business. Somewhere down the line during the partnership there will be a time when your morals and values will clash because your values are in Christ and your partner's is not. I know that if you seek the Lord with all of your heart with this situation He would bless you with a partner who is a follower of Christ. Otherwise, you will be in for some turmoil.

 

[conflicted]

I agree with this verse above. You should not be unequally yoked with a person in business. Somewhere down the line during the partnership there will be a time when your morals and values will clash because your values are in Christ and your partner's is not. I know that if you seek the Lord with all of your heart with this situation He would bless you with a partner who is a follower of Christ. Otherwise, you will be in for some turmoil.

Hi breatheprayer

Thanks for your post. I think the Lord has worked his magic in this regard already. The deal hasn't gone through because of some or other clause...so I guess it wasn't meant to be.
I was so excited, but I know that things happen for a reason...so I'm not too upset. God will allow something else to flow into my life.

Thanks again

 

[JasMate]

Greetings all.

My church gave us the monthly news, and inside was an article on your own business. In the article, the writer states that you must not go into business with a non-christian. Is this true?

I was recently approached by a non-christian, who is willing to offer me 50% of his franchise, at no cost to me, and in return I will run the franchise for him (and draw a monthly salary).

This is a great opportunity for me...and I'd just like to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

Thanks guys

Ok here is the way I look at it, there are plus and minuses to the situation. If you plan to be in business for a long time with the person it may get dificult if you cross certain moral boundaries that you as a Chrisitan are not willing to cross. For example if he wants to rip people off in order to further the business venture. Now I would say that it will be ok to go into business with someone that is in general a sound "moral" person. This way you know that he is unlikely to step over YOUR line of morality. On the flip side think of all the witnessing you could do! But yeah make sure you have an out if you need it

 

[conflicted]

Ok here is the way I look at it, there are plus and minuses to the situation. If you plan to be in business for a long time with the person it may get dificult if you cross certain moral boundaries that you as a Chrisitan are not willing to cross. For example if he wants to rip people off in order to further the business venture. Now I would say that it will be ok to go into business with someone that is in general a sound "moral" person. This way you know that he is unlikely to step over YOUR line of morality. On the flip side think of all the witnessing you could do! But yeah make sure you have an out if you need it

thats also the way I saw it. But its not happening anymore...well not that business at least...but something else might come up...I hope

 

[zokiz]

Greetings all.

My church gave us the monthly news, and inside was an article on your own business. In the article, the writer states that you must not go into business with a non-christian. Is this true?

I was recently approached by a non-christian, who is willing to offer me 50% of his franchise, at no cost to me, and in return I will run the franchise for him (and draw a monthly salary).

This is a great opportunity for me...and I'd just like to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

Thanks guys

that's nonsense! Why shoudn't you go in business with non-christian!?
He's a man too! What makes him bad if he is not christian? People choose to be bad, not religion...

 

[conflicted]

that's nonsense! Why shoudn't you go in business with non-christian!?
He's a man too! What makes him bad if he is not christian? People choose to be bad, not religion...

Hi Zokiz

I think you misunderstood what the church was saying. It's not about the person you go into business with...it's about morals and ethics.
Christians and non-christians have different viewpoints on many topics/issues. This is where conflict would arise.
So it's not that you can't go into business with a non-christian, just that if you do...there will probably come a time when you disagree strongly on certain issues and the wheels might just fall off.

Hope I cleared up what i was saying?
God Bless

 

[Chris Green]

I have a business with a non-Christian.

He has the same ethics, goals and morals as me.

He just doesnt beleive that there is a God that loves him and wants to be part of his life.

Business is not like marriage. Business is for a set period of time and for a set purpose. We both have a plan and we are succeeding in it. When we do really well, he thinks its our doing, I think its Gods doing, and that is the main difference.

 

[Deborah6763]

If you have a business partner, you are yoked with him/her in your business. The Bible is clear -- do not be unequally yoked. The other person may be the best person in the world, but if you sincerely want to follow the teachings in the Bible, this is worth serious consideration.

Have any of you read Larry Burkett's book --
Business by the Book?
It goes into this in much more detail. A great read.

 

[Chris Green]

If you have a friend you are yoked with him/her in your friendship.

Does that mean that we can't have non-Christian friends?

 

[Chris Green]

P.S

I know lots of Christians that are RUBBISH business men too.

 

[Gemsofthegreekpupil]

All I know is- I work with many people on a per project basis. Often I find that in non-Christian partnership- there are a whole lot of other things to worry about. However, I also believe that God can bring people in your life so that you may learn or benefit from the growth.

For example- I was not too educated in my industry as far as the "contract" ins and outs. It was a very kind non-Christian man who helped me decipher some of the negotiations. Had I not partnered with him in this one project- I would not have learned (as fast) that you need to take care of the business up front. Many talented and gifted persons overlook this because of they just want to perform or create their gift.

Always pray in the Holy Spirit before entering with any business partner.

There is no greater dissappointment than partnering with a Christian who is simply not ready- or unprepared and grounded in the Lord. And that would be your fault for not taking it to Him first.

my humble opinion

 

[ruru]

If you have a business partner, you are yoked with him/her in your business. The Bible is clear -- do not be unequally yoked. The other person may be the best person in the world, but if you sincerely want to follow the teachings in the Bible, this is worth serious consideration.

Have any of you read Larry Burkett's book --
Business by the Book?
It goes into this in much more detail. A great read.

Yes, certainly having a business partner who is having the same faith as us is much preferrable. However, we really need to understand that person's characteristics as well as other skills and pray to God whether he is the right partner in the business or not. It is sometimes pointless to have a partner of the same faith but we do not choose them wisely and there is no synergy between us, no same goal, and our skills do not complement one another.

On the other hand, if we have a non-Christian partner, if possible, we should pray about it first. Then, we should explain to him about our beliefs and faiths in doing businesses such as no cheating, no compromising, tithing, first fruits, offerings and many others. This is very important if both of us are owning the business. On the other hand, if we are partnering with a non-Christian, but we are not owning the same business. (E.g. you own a web hosting company and your partner owns a web design company, both of you can partner to make a one-stop web solutions store). If this is the case, we just have to make sure that the business God's given us is taken care of, and we, on the other hand, shall be the light for our partner.

Therefore, all in all, we have to be prayerful and wise in choosing a partner before anything else and we shall be the light in the business world as well.

 

[Gemsofthegreekpupil]

Yes, certainly having a business partner who is having the same faith as us is much preferrable. However, we really need to understand that person's characteristics as well as other skills and pray to God whether he is the right partner in the business or not. It is sometimes pointless to have a partner of the same faith but we do not choose them wisely and there is no synergy between us, no same goal, and our skills do not complement one another.

On the other hand, if we have a non-Christian partner, if possible, we should pray about it first. Then, we should explain to him about our beliefs and faiths in doing businesses such as no cheating, no compromising, tithing, first fruits, offerings and many others. This is very important if both of us are owning the business. On the other hand, if we are partnering with a non-Christian, but we are not owning the same business. (E.g. you own a web hosting company and your partner owns a web design company, both of you can partner to make a one-stop web solutions store). If this is the case, we just have to make sure that the business God's given us is taken care of, and we, on the other hand, shall be the light for our partner.

Therefore, all in all, we have to be prayerful and wise in choosing a partner before anything else and we shall be the light in the business world as well.

be the light....

 

[ruru]

be the light....

Yes, let us be the light whenever we are! U go gemsofhtegreekpupil!

 

[helashton]

Well, you might have the opportunity to turn this person into a believer. You said that he has a good reputation and otherwise would be a good business partner. Perhaps stay in discussions and pray about it. Maybe you are being guided to set an example for him.

 

[djfuse]

I have a business with a non-Christian.

He has the same ethics, goals and morals as me.

He just doesnt beleive that there is a God that loves him and wants to be part of his life.

Business is not like marriage. Business is for a set period of time and for a set purpose. We both have a plan and we are succeeding in it. When we do really well, he thinks its our doing, I think its Gods doing, and that is the main difference.

i suggest you pray about it 1st, you might be the person that God will use to make turn the non christian to a believe or even make the business chain prosper becasue of your christian principles.

 

[1corinthian13]

I have a business with a non-Christian.

He has the same ethics, goals and morals as me.

He just doesnt beleive that there is a God that loves him and wants to be part of his life.

Business is not like marriage. Business is for a set period of time and for a set purpose. We both have a plan and we are succeeding in it. When we do really well, he thinks its our doing, I think its Gods doing, and that is the main difference.

the 2nd corinthians verse came to my mind when i first saw your title.

quotin on the previous guy,
Jesus didn't put his trusts in men. john chapter 2. it's hard for me to put trust in non christian people, because do they fear God?

I believe that Christian people know that God is watching the transactions... and dependin on God on every deal

i dont oppose doing business with non-christian, but be very cautious, guard your heart, guard you lips, because you never knwo if you will be able to be a salt and light to your business partner when they see how u deal with the money that God has given you.