Would you consider this OCD?

[TenthAveN]

So I stick shelves at Wal-Mart. Sometimes we have to stock items like pregnancy tests, performance enhancing supplements, and other items like that. I didn’t have a problem stocking items like that a few months ago, but lately I’ve been setting those items aside because they give me so much anxiety. On the one hand, if I stock them, I’m afraid that I would be sinning. And if I don’t stock it, someone else will. I’m afraid that if I refuse to stock them, I’ll be fired. I also wonder if God might be testing me, seeing if I would lose my job over stocking an item. Would you say this is OCD or should I just refuse to stock the item(s)?

 

[Pavel Mosko]

You have to stock the items if you want to keep the job. You can't pick and choose what items you will stock if you want to stay employed. You can perhaps looks for another job, but keep in mind every employer theoretically could have something wrong with them if you scrutinize them long enough.


But no I don't think your sinning by stocking various items. If you went back to ancient times like the times of Christians in Roman and the Jewish Captive in Babylon, I'm sure they had to do lots of things for their gentile unbelieving masters that they would normally not do, but that is what being a servant and an underlying is all about.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

I would call it insecurity and not OCD. The question whether we should do or not do something is quite common, especially when there is no explicit Bible verse clarifying it.

So my question to you is: can you think of any specific sentence in the Bible or something else that makes you wonder whether you should stock those items or not?
Or is it "just" the fact that those items can/will be used by people to do things that are against God's will?

Imagine you would be working in a shop that sells guns. Would you be responsible for the people getting shot with those weapons? I don't think so.
The owner of Wal-Mart might be responsible for what he is selling and what not, but you - as a "simple worker" - certainly not. If you are uncomfortable doing it though and have the option to let it do someone else then go for that alternative. If you are risking to lose your job over this I'd say don't be worried about it that much. You don't force anyone to actually buy that stuff.

 

[Aussie Pete]

So I stick shelves at Wal-Mart. Sometimes we have to stock items like pregnancy tests, performance enhancing supplements, and other items like that. I didn’t have a problem stocking items like that a few months ago, but lately I’ve been setting those items aside because they give me so much anxiety. On the one hand, if I stock them, I’m afraid that I would be sinning. And if I don’t stock it, someone else will. I’m afraid that if I refuse to stock them, I’ll be fired. I also wonder if God might be testing me, seeing if I would lose my job over stocking an item. Would you say this is OCD or should I just refuse to stock the item(s)?

OCD. We cannot escape the fact that we are in the world. I pay my taxes even though some of it goes to things that I find objectionable. I don't have a choice. God knows that and is gracious to us.

One of the greatest revelations you can have is that God always wants the very best for us. I still remember the time when it dawned on me that I was not worried about sinning. I could just get on with life without figuratively looking over my shoulder all the time. Yes, we sin from time to time. God has made provision, the blood of Christ. If you sin, confess, get clean and get on with life. God forgets our sins. Why should we hang onto the memory?

 

[Jeshu]

On the one hand, if I stock them, I’m afraid that I would be sinning. And if I don’t stock it, someone else will. I’m afraid that if I refuse to stock them, I’ll be fired. I also wonder if God might be testing me, seeing if I would lose my job over stocking an item.

Rather than worry about those items pray for the people who are going to use these items. Pray for their forgiveness and salvation. Pray also for your boss selling these items. Pray for grace and repentance.

i bet satan will soon hate you stacking the selves if you do that!

Turn every wrong into an opportunity to pray for the wrong doers and so season your faith with His loving grace.

 

[Mark Quayle]

So I stick shelves at Wal-Mart. Sometimes we have to stock items like pregnancy tests, performance enhancing supplements, and other items like that. I didn’t have a problem stocking items like that a few months ago, but lately I’ve been setting those items aside because they give me so much anxiety. On the one hand, if I stock them, I’m afraid that I would be sinning. And if I don’t stock it, someone else will. I’m afraid that if I refuse to stock them, I’ll be fired. I also wonder if God might be testing me, seeing if I would lose my job over stocking an item. Would you say this is OCD or should I just refuse to stock the item(s)?

OCD. What is wrong with pregnancy tests or performance enhancing supplements?

 

[TenthAveN]

OCD. What is wrong with pregnancy tests or performance enhancing supplements?

You have a point there. However, we do have emergency contraceptives, among other things. Pregnancy tests I’ve been able to talk myself into stocking.

 

[Mark Quayle]

You have a point there. However, we do have emergency contraceptives, among other things. Pregnancy tests I’ve been able to talk myself into stocking.

I didn't realize "the day after' was available on the shelf! Wow.

Anyhow, in my opinion, you need to make up your mind and go with it. If it bothers you too much, quit, work it out with your boss, whatever. but don't be dishonest with your employer.