Is being a bartender wrong?

[WhyAjani]

Ok look... basically I'm trying to strengthen my path with God... but the area where I live in is not the best area for me. I want to move to Philly, City of Soul. I want to presue my arts and futher expand my beliefs. Philly is definitely the beginning of my life. My aunt today popped into my head about being a bartender. They make quick cash and it'd get me to Philly in a couple of months. I mean, I understand serving alcohol to the masses is the Christian Dream Job, but it's like anything else. If you work at McDonalds you're working for a multi-billion dollar corporation that is exclusively involved in globalization. I'm just trying to justify the means people, if you knew where I lived you understand. When I get to Philly I want to then proceed to bank up to make routine mission trips over seas to Africa. My life is human rights. I can be a bartender in a month. The schooling is cheap and easy and it's not hard to get a job. I'm not "making" people drink. I will even eye around for people who's "had enough". It's a great opportunity to make some cash to follow my dreams... but is it wrong? That's what's tearing at me right now. Any responses would be great... It would REALLY help me out.

 

[AdJesumPerMariam]

How do you feel about it? Have you prayed?

 

[huk]

... but is it wrong?

No, It is not wrong. I am a recovered alcoholic. I can assure you that if someone wants to drink, they are going to drink. If you don't serve them, someone else will. If you are not standing behind the bar then someone else will be. It might as well be you. God does not care where you work. He`cares`how you treat your fellow man. As`long as all State laws re: liquor consumption are adhered to (by you) your good to go.

 

[Uphill Battle]

No, It is not wrong. I am a recovered alcoholic. I can assure you that if someone wants to drink, they are going to drink. If you don't serve them, someone else will. If you are not standing behind the bar then someone else will be. It might as well be you. God does not care where you work. He`cares`how you treat your fellow man. As`long as all State laws re: liquor consumption are adhered to (by you) your good to go.

Ok, but that argument has a few flaws, at least IMHO.

"Someone is going to supply pornography to people. If you do't, someone else will. It might as well be you." Would that hold true as well? It doesn't violate the laws of the country, but it is definitely wrong by the standards of God. (At least in my personal conviction.

God DOES care where you work. That being said, I don't think there is anything wrong with drinking, the bible says do not get drunk, not do not drink. You have to follow your own personal conviction on that as well.

 

[huk]

"Someone is going to supply pornography to people. If you do't, someone else will. It might as well be you." Would that hold true as well? It doesn't violate the laws of the country, but it is definitely wrong by the standards of God. (At least in my personal conviction.

Were talking about being a bartender here, nothing more. Why complicate it?

God DOES care where you work.

Oh Please!

 

[Uphill Battle]

Were talking about being a bartender here, nothing more. Why complicate it?


Oh Please!

oh, not to complicate it. I just think that reasoning could be used to justify anything.

and you don't beleive that God has an interest in where you work?

I beleive that God has an interest in everything in our lives.

 

[bethdinsmore]

Hi there

I've had to ask myself similar questions many times. Here is something to consider:

1 Cor 10:23-33
23 "Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--
29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
(NIV)

I will pray for you, that you will find the job the Lord has for you. Aloha in Jesus

 

[DIVA_for_Christ]

Hello,

I'll offer my personal experience as an answer. Truly seek God and pray on it.

I am a former bartender, who drank socially, once in a blue moon. As I grew spiritually I first became convicted about drinking at all. Then from there I got convicted about serving drinks. The conviction I had was that I was putting my witness at risk. How could I claim that I was a servant of God yet be willing to have myself in position to serve drinks to others knowing that liquor one of the tools the enemy uses to create a stronghold of addiction.

 

[DIVA_for_Christ]

Oops forgot one other thing. My conviction started when I started asking the same question you asked.

 

[WhyAjani]

Word... You guys are absolutely amazing you know that? Good advice...

I decided that I'm going to do it. Is it my fault for one means weakness to alcohol? Like you guys said, if he doesn't get it from me he will get it from someone else. But of course since I am a Christian I will do my job with Christ in mind. If I see someone has had too many drinks of course I will say "That's enough"... and if it's anything like the movies where they talk to the bartender about problems. I'll be there with the word of Christ. I will always smile and give blessings to whomever seems as if they need it.

Beth, I know I am participating in someone stumbling... but obese people stumble through greed with fast food restaraunts. I mean we live in a vice. Since there are bartenders and there will always be bartenders, I'd much rather have someone who cares about you much rather than just serving you drinks. I do not promote alcohol nor do I even drink it. I am caught in a situation where my father is said to have 6 months to live and I need cash to support anything that might arise.

I don't want to be considered a bad person, I'm trying to do the best that I can. I don't want to promote people to stuff beers down their throat and forget about their families. But as long as I'm going to be doing this job I will at least remind them of that fact. We have sin everywhere we turn. Maybe I can bring some light to the dark street corners. But alas, the ends justify the means.

To all of whom replied: I deeply appreciate your help. This post has really helped me come to a decision. Because of this threat I will be posting on Christian Forums alot more. You guys are true children of Christ and I hope God blesses you many, many times to come.

Thank you.

 

[WhyAjani]

DIVA. See we need to understand there are many addictions that we feed into and support. We live in a society that is an addiction. If you watch television, eat fast food, gamble, play games excessively, work at corporate jobs, etc.etc. We feed into something that is ultimately evil. Being a bartender at a club where the point is to get drunk and get "laid" is something I would not want to do. I'm shooting for cruise ships where mainly couples go to relax. Drink together and have a good time. Even hotels. But to say that you felt convicted about being a bartender. Then you should feel convicted about being on a microsoft computer. It's all basically the same. I think if you accept a job where there ARE evils to it, do it to the best of your ability as a Christian. I asked my friend if being a Christian bartender is hypocritical. He had a very simple answer.

He said.

"Are you a Christian?"
I said "Yes"
"Are you going to be a bartender?"
I said "Yes"
"There you have it, a Christian bartender."

Which says to me that being responsible for someone's evils... is not what we should worry about but to put Christ into their lives. I am a Christian. I drink occasionally. I don't beat my family, I don't go driving, I don't do anything that would inflict harm or sin. Christians can drink responsibly and if they are a Christian they do. I think the main focus here is people abusing simple things of life.

If someone buys a car and runs over a pedestrian out of anger, should the car dealership be to blame? There are thousands of car deaths that occur but not once has someone blamed the car dealership. Why is that?

 

[DIVA_for_Christ]

I do understand where you are coming from because I started for similar reasons you have. The only other advice I would give you to to really seek God in prayer about this before you put a final stamp on your decision. Seek Him in regards to if bartending is what He wants you to do.

 

[WhyAjani]

DIVA:

I have prayed. I think God's main focus on us is for us to deliver the word of God. Now praying about being a bartender... I don't think that's the main focus. This is merely a stepping stone. I'll pray of course. I just don't think I should be held accountable for another mans sins. I think it's how you handle your situation that judges if it's the right job for you. I feel guilty about becoming a bartender... but I felt guilty about working at Sears as well. I feel guilty about being on this computer and not with a bible in my hand speaking to the people. Things are hard and sometimes we simply need to survive. I put my faith into God and he will direct me. If I become a bartender and I just feel like I can't even think because of all the sin, then yes. I will quit. But I'll try it out for a while first. Thanks for your comments. Appreciated.

 

[DIVA_for_Christ]

Completely understand.

 

[RefinedByFire]

Wait a minute..........

You're only 19 and they let you be a bartender?

 

[AngylBelle]

Wait a minute..........

You're only 19 and they let you be a bartender?

I started bartending at 18...I believe the laws are different in each state.

 

[Carissa Selmyhr]

Hey I know this was a long time ago but how did becoming a bartender work out?

I started bartending at 18...I believe the laws are different in each state.

Hey I know this was a long time ago! But how did becoming a bartender work out?? Do you recommend it for a Christain

 

[Dave-W]

God DOES care where you work.

Oh Please!

God cares about EVERYTHING including how many breaths you take and how many hairs are on your head. Why would He not care about where you worked?